The Sioux Lookout Diabetes Program: diabetes prevention and management in northwestern Ontario

Abstract

Clinically, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in the First Nations population of the Sioux Lookout Zone (SLZ), Northwestern Ontario, represents a very different entity than that found in the general Canadian population. Here, its prevalence reaches upwards of 17% (over the age of 10) and children as young as five years of age have been diagnosed. Diabetic ketoacidosis is frequently found, and clients with blood glucose levels of 50 mmol/L or more have remained asymptomatic. Prevention and management of NIDDM in the SLZ must reflect this reality, as well as those of geographic remoteness; community-specific needs; and cultural, in addition to personal, relevance. Over the past five years, the Sioux Lookout Diabetes Program has been developing innovative services and resources to address these needs. Traveling foot-care and diabetes education programs, Community Health Representative training programs, a youth camp, school programs, grocery store labeling programs, and culturally relevant education manuals are a few such initiatives. Visions for the future include the development of a network of community-based diabetes workers to address more completely prevention and management needs on an ongoing basis and the development of stress management workshops for First Nations clients. With our current programming, these new initiatives, and an aggressive early screening program, we hope to stem the imminent onslaught of amputations, heart attacks, renal failure, and blindness.