Using data from the 2005 CHIS, authors sought to examine the prevalence and its cardiovascular risk factor correlates in Native Americans residing in California.

Findings: California's American Indians are more likely to have diabetes than all other ethnic and racial groups. Researchers from University of California, Irvine, found that diabetes was highest among Native Americans (14.9%) than other California ethnic and racial groups, such as African Americans (10.1%), Hispanics (8%), Asians (6.5%), or Caucasians (6%). Even when taking into account age, gender, lifestyle characteristics and other risk factors, American Indians still had the highest rates of diabetes, as well as the highest prevalence of high cholesterol. Age, male gender, lower intake of vegetables and fruits, and high blood pressure were the most important indicators of diabetes in American Indians. The authors conclude that both further investigation and education on prevention are needed.