-- Note! This post isn't as long as it looks. Includes optional material.
--
Whoa frickin' Nelly! Did anyone watch Nightline last night? It was on the
Indian diabetes epidemic. The story was shot on the Pine Ridge reservation
in South Dakota. A good story; one source mentioned the former protein-rich
diet and cited excess starch, also mentioning the so-called government
conspiracy - reservations, no hunting, bad food, etc.
My face is set to stunned in light of the grant proposal I've mentioned here
that would include a clinical trial at the Porcupine Clinic on, yes, the
Pine Ridge reservation. I almost always watch Letterman (as in, 99.9% of
the time) but it was a rerun with Ed Green (bleah) so I went surfing and
there it was, the Nightline story. It was all but divine intervention,
since I learned just this week that the NIH was in contact with the
program's grant specialst on Monday, asking for some additional information
to make sure this proposal meets all standards.
In other words, keep your fingers crossed!
What follows is a rundown of the story. Should make some sense. Note the
"expert's" reference to genetics. I wonder what she would say if informed
of a hunter-gatherer's documented downfall of general health, including
rapid weight gain, after switching to the modern diet. But then, she works
for the federal gubment; what, you expect her to admit she's wrong?
Dori Zook
SHOW RUNDOWN
Tim Gallego, editor of the Lakota Journal, largely blames the federal
government, referring to the 'conspiracy theory' of herding Indians onto
reservations, making hunting difficult, then giving Native Americans
unhealthy foods
Gallego goes on to refer to the previous protein-rich diet and how it has
been replaced by fatty, starchy foods.
Dean Reynolds' report then shows scene upon scene of morbidly obese Native
Americans.
A doctor (unnamed) from the Pine Ridge hospital decries the lack of money,
doctors and nurses. Reynolds cites the $4B dollars spent by the federal
government to treat diabetes.
Tribal leader John Yellowbird Steel, with whom I've spoken in the past, is
then interviewed about the diabetes epidemic.
Suzanna Kilback in Porcupine, 30 miles from the hospital, speaks of all her
diabetic neighbors.
Her father gives some commentary; he lost his leg due to diabetes.
(BREAK)
A young, healthy woman, Mary, is a health educator. She supervises a
fitness center at Pine Ridge. Good equipment, but no air conditioning.
Shots of the local radio station lead to sound bites from personnel who talk
about diabetes quite a lot while on the air. One man (last name Iron Cloud)
has a program aimed directly at the diabetes epidemic (can you see Ron
Rosedale on this show?). Thanks to him, all reservation schools check
children for diabetes.
And IHS stand now appears at reservation outdoor festivals; a shot is shown.
The story then cuts to buffalo shots. Reynolds has a stand-up, talking
about the reintroduction of buffalo to the reservation.
Gallegos refers to programs bringing in Indian experts; doctors,
administrators, etc.
The piece then goes to one man who has to drive more than 100 miles for
treatment, an elderly man with an advanced case, weak and tired. The shot
then pans around the clinic; it's truly,
truly sad.
Ted Koppel stand-in John Donvan teases the next segment; what can the
government do?
(BREAK)
Donvan is joined live via satellite by Dr. Kelly Acton of the IHS; she has
17 years experience dealing with diabetes amond Native Americans.
Acton refers to diabetes as an epidemic, especially in kids.
Mentions the Pima Indians who have the highest rate and have for long time
Cites Alaskan Indians who used to be below the average for Indians, then saw
171% increase in diabetes (could this have come immediately after government
subsidies?).
When asked by Donvan about genetic predisposition, Acton said "genetics
doesn't change in that period of time" referring to the first case type II
diabetes among Native Americans appearing in approximately 1939 followed by
a vast increase leading to the current epidemic. Someone needs to talk to
Dr. Cordain, but I digress. She goes on to blame "genetics plus
environmental issues" saying the environment (unhealthy foods, lack of
exercise) is probably the greatest influence.
When asked by Donvan about buffalo and whether or not the younger generation
is willing to eat it, she says yes, they seem to be and talks about how as a
lean meat is healthy (more anti-fat propaganda). She also pointed out there
needs to be more of it (agreed).
Acton also cited the role of poverty in diabetes, but only by saying that
minorities and those with a lower than average income have a higher rate of
diabetes. I have no idea WHY in light of those soundbites.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
|
