The Zuni hospital was discussed including how various patient presentations are managed. The hospital is run by family physicians primarily. Specialists from Gallop, which is a larger Indian community with health care givers nearby, do travel to Zuni for clinics. The Zuni hospital has 20 inpatient beds with an emergency department, outpatient clinics, dialysis unit, operating room, maternity ward, and all of the ancillary services necessary for a small community hospital to function. Heart disease death rates are lower than the U.S. population - possible reasons for this includes the high accident rates and higher renal failure rates due to diabetics.
Obesity is an increasing problem in Zuni.
Three-year old children are getting heavier on annual weight studies that are being done. Diabetes programs have been funded for Indian communities by the U.S. government since the 1970's. Indians from the community are very involved in all elements of the program - educating, encouraging keeping appointments, keeping charts up to date and pointing out areas where there are deficiencies to key in the physicians during appointments. If there is a need at the follow-up appointment, then diabetic medicine are begun. Case example was presented of a diabetic who had been non-compliant with high glycohemoglobin levels.