Type 2 Diabetes in the Pima Indians of Arizona A Review

Objectives: This brief paper characterizes the complexity of Type 2 Diabetes in the American Indian population giving reference to the Pima Indians of Arizona. Methods: A review of literature and related health policies was conducted to understand the health determinants and other factors that contribute to the prevalence of the disease. Results: Type 2 diabetes among American Indians is influenced by a number of social determinants. There appears to be disparities in alignment between federal health policies and research findings for American Indian subgroups such as the Pima Indians of Arizona. Conclusions: Based on available literature, it is clear that researchers and federal policymakers must collaborate to understand health determinants of Type 2 diabetes more fully, especially as they affect American Indians.