CDC: Kidney failure from diabetes down 54% among American Indians

The rate of diabetes-related kidney failure decreased 54% among Native American adults between 1996 and 2013 to match the rate for whites, according to a Vital Signs report released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates for other racial/ethnic groups also decreased during the period, but Native Americans had the steepest decline. “The Indian Health Service has made tremendous progress by applying population health and team-based approaches to diabetes and kidney care,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D. “Strong coordinated clinical care and education, community outreach and environmental changes can make a dramatic difference in reducing complications from diabetes for all Americans.”