Wednesday, May 8, 2024
5/8/2024
-Lassen Indian Health Center's Approach to the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes for Natives- The Susanville Indian Rancheria (SIR) is located in Susanville California and is the largest city in Lassen County - a rural county in Northeastern California on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The nearest city is Reno Nevada, 85 miles south. According to 2020 data, Lassen County encompasses 4,541 square miles and has a population of 32,730 including those who are incarcerated in three prisons. It is rural in the sense that there are 6.7 people per square mile. The SIR is home to four distinct Native American nations: Northeastern Maidu, Northern Paiute, Pit River and Washoe. The SIR established the Lassen Indian Health Clinic (LIHC) in 1986 to provide comprehensive care: medical, dental, community outreach, transportation, pharmacy, family services, and behavioral health to the Native American population in Lassen County. The LIHC now has grown to include a Medications Assisted Therapies (MAT) for opioid and substance use disorders. There are approximately 500 SIR Tribal members who live within the Rancheria and Lassen. And 2020 census data shows American Indian/ Native Alaskans (AI/AN)s make up 4.3% of the total population in Lassen County; thus, there are approximately 900 AI/ANs we can serve. Last year, we had 618 AI/AN patient visits. The LIHC has been working with the AI/AN population on diabetes treatment and prevention through the IHS SDPI program since it began in 1998. One of the major accomplishments of the LIHC through the SDPI program is the establishment of the LIHC Wellness Center. The Wellness Center was initially established as a fitness center, but through supplemental funding, this was expanded to include a gymnasium, kitchen facility, and a youth activity center in 2010. Through another grant in 2022, we were able to rebuild the Eatery in the complex beside the gymnasium to increase its size so that our elders can dine safely. During the last three years of the pandemic, the SDPI program premised eye exams for the Best Practice. We were able to purchase a Retinopathy camera and conduct eye exams; however, the ongoing pandemic impacted the number of patients we could screen. Additionally, we experienced high staff turnover, and some of our SDPI new members will need to be trained for retinopathy camera use. In the 2023 grant, we will be hosting quarterly Diabetes Days which has been a good mechanism to be able to schedule important screens that many of the AI/AN patients are behind in receiving due to COVID. The 2023 SDPI focus will be fitness and nutrition to address critical 2022 WebAudit findings: blood pressures above 140/90 (51%) and overweight (77%). Blood pressure is SIR’s 2023 SDPI Best Practice. The SDPI team will be hosting three Diabetic luncheons as a way for diabetic AI/ANs to share a healthy meal and engage AI/ANs in their own health and well-being through specialize speakers who will present of a variety of diabetes-related topics especially nutrition. Fun indoor fitness activities are planned such as Tai Chi classes and group walks in gymnasium to music two days a week to help those who have diabetes have healthier lives.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
