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New Study Shows Increase In Risk For Heart Disease, Diabetes In American Indian Communities

A new study says the risk for heart disease for American Indians is almost twice as high as the rest of the U.S. Population. 

Recently the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute released findings on the Strong Heart Study, an ongoing study to understand more about heart disease and to learn more about its risk factors in the American Indian Population. Dr. Amanda Fretts, Assistant Professor in Epidemiology at The University of Washington worked on the study. The study included men and women from 13 tribes in Arizona, Oklahoma, and North and South Dakota.

“The study began in 1988, and at that time participants between the ages of 45 and 74 years were enrolled in the study, and they had three examinations over a ten year period. In the early 2000's we enrolled family members of the original strong heart study participants who were from extremely large families (Grandparents, Multi-generational grandparents, parents, children, and children’s children),” says Fretts.

The study enrolled the family members of the original study participants to better understand genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disease along with the risk of diabetes.

“The strong heart study has shown that heart disease is the leading cause of death among American Indians and diabetes is also extremely common. While the incidents of heart disease have decreased in most segments in the American population over the past 50 years, it has actually increased in the American Indians. Data from the Strong Heart Study says heart disease among American Indians is almost as high as the rest of the population,” says Fretts.

Fretts says the study also showed genetic risks of diabetes.

“We do see clustering of diabetes within families. Having a family history of diabetes is a risk factor for developing diabetes.”  

The study revealed that some reasons for the increase of risk of heart disease and diabetes may not just be tied to genetics.

“Living in rural areas presents its own set of challenges. For instance affordable and healthy foods in some communities may be challenging if you live far away from supermarkets or stores, and the same can be said for physical activity. There might not be a lot of resurfaced or recreational activities in rural communities, and these challenges might not be unique to American Indians in particular, but might affect all rural communities in the U.S,"says Fretts.

For more information: http://strongheart.ouhsc.edu/

Anthony Moreno serves as the Director of Content at KRWG Public Media. He also is host and executive producer for "Fronteras-A Changing America" and "Your Legislators" on KRWG-TV.