The Ilanka Community Health Center (ICHC), owned and operated by The Native Village of Eyak (NVE), is a primary health, behavioral health, integrated and ambulatory care outpatient clinic. ICHC maintains a registry of diabetic patients to encourage routine visits and labs as we strive to engage our clients in effective proactive management of their health. ICHC has been involved in meeting the needs of our community members, including those with diabetes since 1999 and has been coordinating SDPI activities as a Subgrantee through Chugachmiut since 2008.
ICHC is located in remote Cordova, Alaska. Our community faces many challenges due to our remote location and access. Any travel to and from Cordova requires a commercial flight or lengthy ferry ride and at least an over-night stay. The cost and time required to travel from Cordova places significant burdens on our population and limits timely access to in-person specialty care and medications. The cost of goods has significantly increased , placing even more burdens on families and their affordable access to nutritious foods.
ICHC Management utilized the guidance from the Native Village of Eyak Tribal council member input, data from the 2022 IHS Diabetes Care and Outcomes Audits, as well as several 2022 patient and community surveys to determine the following needs in our community. Cordova's Diabetes prevalence rate is estimated to be 10.9%. Elevated BMI, hypertension and visits by a Registered Dietician are areas that need to continue to be addressed, as well as continue Diabetes-related Education.
The ICHC Diabetes Program is a primarily clinic based program. We strive to meet our target group of Alaska Native and Native American diabetic and prediabetic patient needs by bringing a Registered Dietician to Cordova Quarterly, utilizing our part-time staff Licensed Nutritionist, facilitating a Pool and Gym pass program and coordinating community fitness classes, among other activities that promote health and wellness education. Our limited funds available through the SDPI grant as new applicants this cycle has reduced the scope of our ability to target a larger population with our diabetes program, from past years as a sub-grantee participant.
