During the past 50 years, type 2 diabetes has become a major public health issue in many AI/AN communities, and it is increasingly recognized that AI/AN populations have a disproportionate burden of diabetes (Ghodes, 1995).  In 2006, 16.1% of AI/ANs aged 20 years or older had diagnosed diabetes (unpublished IHS Diabetes Program Statistics, 2006) compared to 7.8% for the non-Hispanic white population (CDC, 2007). In addition, AI/AN people have higher rates of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality than in the general U.S. population (Carter, 1996; Harris, 1995; Gilliland, 1997).  Strategies to address the prevention and treatment of diabetes in AI/AN communities are urgently needed. Under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Congress authorized the IHS to administer the SDPI grant program. SDPI grants are programmatically directed by the IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP).

As the only agency exclusively devoted to advance on Urban Indian Health policy change and the further development of all Urban Indian Health Programs, NCUIH was granted an award to coordinate activities pertaining Special Diabetes Program for Indians among Urban Indian Health Programs.