Nearly 20 percent of Oklahoma Indians have diabetes, with about a third not knowing it, according to the state Department of Health.

Diabetes afflicts young and old Indians. Of those age 45 and higher, 38 percent of Indian men and 42 percent of Indian women in Oklahoma have diabetes, according to a University of Oklahoma study.

The disease is showing up in children at earlier and earlier ages. "We're seeing Native American children as young as 5," Stephanie McKinney of the American Diabetes Association told The Oklahoman.

Three tribal health centers in Oklahoma are part of a national study on youth diabetes. The Absentee Shawnee Tribe, the Chickasaw Nation and the Choctaw Nation are participating in clinical trials that include medications, diabetes education, laboratory tests and doctor visits.

Get the Story:
Diabetes skyrockets among state's Indians (The Oklahoman 11/15)
pwpwd

Related Stories:
Indian center in Salt Lake City fight youth obesity (11/09)
Gila River Indian Community struggles with diabetes (11/09)
Obesity blamed for rising health care costs (10/20)
Report urges fight against childhood obesity (10/01)
Kerry campaign promises Indian health care boost (09/29)
Report calls on U.S. to honor health care commitment (08/30)
'Just Move It' campaign targets diabetes among Natives (08/27)
Navajo racer promotes diabetes prevention (08/26)
IHS officials say Indians shortchanged billions (08/25)
National Indian Health Board holds conference (08/11)
Pember: Obesity threatening Indian Country (08/02)
Indian doctor dedicates life to combating diabetes (07/30)
Tribal centers participate in youth diabetes study (07/28)
Bush official pledges support for health care bill (07/22)
Medicare to allow some treatments for obesity (07/16)
Diabetes program reaches out to rural, elderly Navajos (06/07)
HHS says 41 million Americans at risk for diabetes (04/29)
Study documents urban Indian health disparities (04/21)
Diabetes and obesity ravage Native population (04/19)
Tribal colleges form network to combat diabetes (04/14)
Proposed boost in IHS budget rejected by Senate (03/12)