Indianz.Com > News > Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation calls on Congress to renew Special Diabetes Program for Indians
![Chuck Hoskin Jr.](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/06/ChuckHoskin.jpg)
Cherokee Nation’s Fight Against Diabetes
Monday, November 6, 2023
Cherokee Nation
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and this disease still affects a staggering number of adults and children: 1 in 10 individuals struggles with diabetes and another 1 in 3 people is pre-diabetic. The rates are even higher in Native communities. Diabetes is the third leading cause of death in the Cherokee Nation, according to our Cherokee Nation Health System data.
We are aggressively working to combat this epidemic. With more than 11,000 active diabetes patients, Cherokee Nation operates the country’s largest Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). For over 25 years, Cherokee Nation’s SDPI has provided vital services such as diabetes education, management and prevention throughout the health system. These efforts are paying off, with more than 7 in 10 patients maintaining control of their blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
Nationwide, SDPI has helped reduce new cases of kidney failure by half and reduced diabetes-related deaths by more than a third. This is a classic example of preventive care that saves lives and reduces costs for everyone. A 2019 study found that SDPI has saved $520 million over 10 years in reduced Medicare costs alone.
![Chuck Hoskin Jr](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/23/chuckhoskinavatar.jpg)
Chuck Hoskin Jr.
is the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian
tribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the
Cherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from
1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe’s
Secretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the
Cherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.
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