First Nations and diabetes
Screening programs
Screening programs
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The Review of Guidelines for Screening and Treatment affirms the use of [fasting plasma glucose test](/wiki/Glucose_test "Glucose test") (FPG) or a 2\-hour plasma glucose (2hPG) as a screening tool. Due to the higher incidence of diabetes in Aboriginals, more frequent screening is recommended to improve diabetes management and prevention strategies. Instead of a standard screening every third year, aboriginal adults in Canada with a higher risk of developing diabetes are called upon to be screened every one or two years.

Children above the age of ten identified as at high risk for developing diabetes are recommended for screening, especially important in First Nations and Aboriginal populations, as the age of onset of diabetes is lower (happening in at earlier age) compared to the general population. Obese children ([BMI](/wiki/Body_mass_index "Body mass index") \> 99\.5\) should undergo an oral glucose tolerance test each year.Ur, Ehud; Chiasson, Jean\-Louis; Ransom, Tom; Rowe, Richard (2008\) Screening for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. In Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee (ed.) 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines. Even though a range of different screening programs for Aboriginals exist, there is a need for screening programs in partnership with communities.


Why is more frequent screening recommended for Aboriginals in Canada?