Utah Clinic Strives to Prevent Diabetes Among Navajos

A "thriving" Navajo health clinic located in rural Utah is tackling the pervasive community problems of diabetes and tooth decay, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. The Montezuma Creek Community Health Center, acquired one year ago by the Utah Navajo Health System, treats 65 to 80 Navajos daily, some of whom who drive 200 miles to reach the southeastern Utah facility. To address the Navajo population's 40% rate of diabetes -- far higher than the national rate of 5.5% -- the clinic launched the Diabetes Control Project, which promotes "an active diet and a more nutritious diet." The initiative has "helped slow" the diabetes epidemic, the Tribune reports. The clinic also runs a program aimed at reducing the incidence of tooth decay among Navajos, who have an 80% rate of the disease, compared to 5% nationwide. In addition, the clinic offers radiology, laboratory and pharmaceutical services, as well as physical therapy, ultrasounds and prenatal education. Next year, the clinic will become a Medicaid dental provider (Thalman, Salt Lake Tribune, 1/2).