The strategic alliance of the Pima and Maricopa tribes of Arizona many years ago resulted in what is now the Gila River Indian Community. A genetic predisposition to kidney disease, in conjunction with federal policies that forced drastic changes in their diet and lifestyle, rendered many in the Community enormously susceptible to diabetes. More than 80 percent of Pimas develop diabetes by age 55.
Over four decades, National Institute of Health researchers studied the Pimas, eventually involving more than three-fourths of the Pima population in their work. Many of the tremendous worldwide advances in type 1 research and treatment have come as a direct result of the Pima studies. Ironically, the Gila River Indian Community has seen almost none of these fruits because they are afflicted primarily with type 2.
Recently, these proud people began fighting back by making diabetes not just a critical health concern, but their own economic, education and social priority. With just over 10,000 members, Gila River may be the smallest community in the world today with a state-of-the-art dialysis center.
No single group has suffered more and contributed more in the battle against diabetes than the Gila River Indian Community. While they continue the fight, they do so today with more resources and more determination than ever, and with the respect and appreciation of everyone in the worldwide diabetes community.
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