🍎 Healing Through Food, Protecting Our Future
Diabetes is one of the most urgent health challenges facing Indigenous communities. This December, as we gather for the holidays, the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe reminds our community that food is medicine, and every choice we make can protect the next generation.
📊 The Crisis in Numbers
- American Indian and Alaska Native adults are 2.3 times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites[^1].
- Nearly 15% of AI/AN adults live with diabetes, one of the highest rates of any racial/ethnic group[^2].
- Diabetes is the 4th leading cause of death among AI/AN people[^3].
🌿 The Impact on Indigenous Communities
Diabetes affects more than blood sugar—it touches every part of life. It increases the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and amputations. For the Wampanoag, it also disrupts cultural practices tied to food, fishing, and gardening.
⚠️ Recognizing the Signs of Diabetes
- Frequent urination and excessive thirst
- Unexplained weight changes
- Constant fatigue or hunger
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing cuts or frequent infections
🌎 Pathways to Prevention
- Traditional Foods: Return to corn, beans, squash, fish, and berries instead of processed foods.
- Regular Activity: Walking, drumming, dancing, and gardening all protect health.
- Medical Screenings: Blood sugar checks and yearly physicals help catch diabetes early.
- Community Support: Cooking classes, greenhouse harvests, and shared meals strengthen both health and culture.
💜 What You Can Do
- For yourself: Ask your doctor about an A1C test, eat more whole foods, and stay active.
- For families: Support elders and children in making healthy food choices.
- For community: Advocate for more access to traditional foods and diabetes prevention programs.
📌 Resources for Diabetes Prevention & Support
- Indian Health Service – Division of Diabetes Treatment & Prevention – www.ihs.gov/diabetes
- American Diabetes Association – www.diabetes.org
- CDC – Native Diabetes Wellness Program – www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndwp
- First Nations Development Institute – Nutrition & Health – www.firstnations.org
- Joslin Diabetes Center Native American Diabetes Initiative – diabetes.joslin.org
🌅 Closing
Every meal can be medicine. Every step can be healing. Together, we can prevent diabetes and protect the health of future generations.
Together, we heal.
