Water Rights and Diabetes in Arizona

The Tohono O'odham and Pima Indians of southern Arizona have perhaps the highest rate of diabetes in the world. Yet the disease was virtually unknown here 100 years ago. Over the last century, the diversion of river water to upstream white settlements cost the O'odham their crops, livelihood, traditional diet, culture and health. Today, community advocates hope that restoring water and renewing culture can help improve health.