Diabetes Prevention and Control - Diabetes and Health Insurance in Delaware

Diabetes Prevention and Control
Program Activities and Accomplishments

The Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) works to prevent diabetes and the complications of diabetes, to provide screening and assure proper treatment, and to reduce the disease's health and financial costs. Two featured activities of the program include:

Community Blood Screenings
More than one in twenty Delawareans have been diagnosed with diabetes. Many others are unaware they have diabetes or are at risk of developing the disease. Therefore, early detection is considered important in improving the management of the disease and its prevention.

There is a lack of awareness among the general public about the prevalence and seriousness of diabetes. In addition, the disease affects certain populations more than others. Some populations are more difficult to reach through the usual health care channels.

Delaware’s screening, education and referral project focuses primarily on high-risk populations, but reaches the general population as well. To locate a screening site or request one to be held in your community, please contact the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program.

School Nurse Diabetes Cluster Program
The DPCP, in collaboration with the Department of Education, conducts a 90-hour "cluster"—training program—for school nurses on diabetes. This program is designed to provide a measurement of accountability, linking pay increases for Delaware school nurses to training. The cluster provides a layered program of diabetes education, internship, prevention, national and state training conferences, course-related studies, instruction, and outreach.

The cluster presents in-depth education on diabetes; and provides the school nurse with increased knowledge about the disease, its management, and type 2 diabetes in youth. For more information on the cluster or to register please contact the Delaware Diabetes Prevention and Control Program.

Other Activities and Accomplishments
These are additional activities and accomplishments of the Delaware Diabetes Prevention and Control Program. The program:

Trains patients, clients, and health professionals on diabetes prevention and management — and the importance of good blood glucose control.
Provides education for state and community agency staff.
Provides community and worksite programs for diabetes self-management and prevention.
Supports the Latin American Community Center Festival — for diabetes education.
Sponsors the Delaware Diabetes Wellness Expo — held annually in collaboration with the Delaware Diabetes Coalition.
Provides speakers, products and educational materials for people with diabetes to encourage proper control of their disease.
Participates in health fairs in high-risk communities.
Build strong partnerships with health and community organizations across Delaware, state agencies, national health and diabetes organizations.
Coordinates and supports other state-related programs and agencies, such as the Delaware Diabetes Coalition and the Daimler Chrysler Health Initiative for Diabetes.
Provides an annual diabetes update for school nurses in public, private and vocational schools.
Provides update seminars annually in each county on treatment, management and prevention of diabetes.
Sponsors seminars in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education on the prevention of Type 2 diabetes in youth.
Completed and published The Burden of Diabetes in Delaware report in 2002.
Developed educational resource guides, in partnership with the Delaware Diabetes Coalition. A Patient Resource Guide was published in English and Spanish; and an Employer-Employee Guide was published.
Developed and is implementing a comprehensive strategic plan, A Plan to Prevent and Control Diabetes in Delaware, released in November 2002.
Develops strong community programs which address pre-diabetes and prevention of the disease in Delaware youth.
Supports Action For Healthy Kids with staff seminars, paper screenings for recognition of high risk youth, a brochure on Type 2 diabetes in youth, and programs promoting increased physical activity and healthy nutrition.
Supports efforts of the Department of Education with school-based mini grants.
Established a Diabetes Health Access Resource Area in all Delaware libraries. This project provides information to people with diabetes, and to health professionals who need diabetes educational materials to help clients. The collection includes cook books, self-management books, and videos about diabetes.
Promotes statewide programs for good eye care. Professional education is provided for optometrists and ophthalmologists. Community interventions are developed on the importance of good eye care and the high risk of blindness for people with diabetes.
Promotes a statewide program for good foot care. Provides professional education for podiatrists and general practitioners. Offers basic interventions about foot care and of the high risk of amputation for people with diabetes.
Promotes the national campaign, "If You Have Diabetes, A Flu Shot Could Save Your Life." It targets people with diabetes who are at high risk for complications from flu and pneumonia.
Provides a Nutritional Education Program for people with diabetes and those who are the primary food preparers for people with diabetes. Staff provides cooking workshops on healthy foods and their preparation and general disease management tips.
Offers education to providers of diabetes care, and assesses utilization of Standards of Care guidelines. Provides education among providers and insurers regarding adherence to the American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care and the Medical Society of Delaware's Practice Guidelines for Diabetes Care. The program also produced and provides a Delaware Provider Resource Guide.
Conducts public awareness campaigns focusing on high-risk populations and youth for the prevention of diabetes and its complications.
Offers statewide community blood screenings for the high-risk population to find Delawareans who have undiagnosed diabetes.
Provides worksite education: making the work places diabetes friendly, and emphasizing the importance of purchasing health insurance that covers basic diabetes education and supplies.
An Emergency Medical Diabetes Fund (EMDF) is administered through the Delaware State Service Centers. Clients are evaluated and funds administered through the State Service Centers; $400 is available annually per qualified client for the purchase of services, medications and/or supplies to manage their diabetes.
Diabetes Program Objectives
2003 – 2008

By 2008, 80% of people with diabetes in Delaware will have received the recommended foot exam.
By 2008, 80% of people with diabetes in Delaware will have received the recommended eye exams.
By 2008, 85% of people with diabetes in Delaware will have received the recommended influenza vaccines, and 73% people with diabetes will have received the recommended pneumococcal vaccine.
By 2008, 85% of people with diabetes in Delaware will have received the recommended Hemoglobin A-1c tests
By 2008, will have established a diabetes service infrastructure at Delaware's Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). This would include complete quality-of-care data collection, in-house capability of Hemoglobin A-1c testing, community diabetes outreach services, certified diabetes educators available onsite, and educational resources.
By 2008, of African Americans with diabetes ages 60 to 75, 70% will have received the recommended Lipid Screening, 78% will have received the recommended Hemoglobin A-1C tests, and 85% will have received the recommended Eye Exams
By 2008, increase the prevalence of public high school students who exercise (20 minutes, sweat, breathe hard) a week to 75%
By 2008, Increase the prevalence of Delaware adults who get regular and sustained physical activity to 30%