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Preventing and reducing the onset of type 2 diabetes among American Indian/Alaska Native youth requires ground-breaking strategies to affect knowledge, attitudes, and cognitive decision-making skills. In an unparalleled endeavor to address the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes in tribal communities, a K-12 Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools (DETS) curriculum was created by eight tribal colleges and three federal agencies. This article highlights the results of the implementation phase, the final evaluation step in acquiring and measuring student knowledge and attitude gains through pre-post standardized assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the national initiative called "Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools (DETS) K-12 Curriculum Project," funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. It addresses the epidemic rates of Type 2 diabetes among American Indian/Alaska Native populations. The goals of the DETS K-12 Curriculum Project are explained. The lesson plans were pilot tested by the Cankdeska Cikana Community College at Warwick School in North Dakota in spring 2005. INSET: What is diabetes?.

The article looks at diabetes prevention and health promotion programs for American Indians/Alaska Natives based on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). The authors emphasize the need to respect tribal knowledge about health as well as tribal self-determination. The causation of Type 2 diabetes among American Indians/Alaska Natives, including social determinants, is discussed. Details on the relationship between tribal lands, diet, and health are also presented.