The West Virginia Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (WV DPCP)
The West Virginia Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (WV DPCP)
350 Capitol Street, Room 206
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone (304) 558-0644
The WV DPCP is funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and promotes the national diabetes objectives which are for people with diabetes to have:
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At least two HbA1c tests per year
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Annual dilated eye exam
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Annual comprehensive foot exam
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Annual flu immunization
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Pneumoccocal immunization
Program Description
Diabetes has escalated to epidemic proportions in West Virginia, with a 2006 prevalence rate of 12.1%. West Virginians have also experienced higher prevalence rates of co-morbid conditions such as obesity, physical inactivity, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. The estimated number of persons with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes in West Virginia is 256,000.
Access to diabetes education, care and management is limited and/or non-existent in many rural areas of West Virginia. People who are poor, undereducated, and live in rural areas are therefore more likely to have devastating diabetes consequences. The social, psychological, physical and economic costs associated with diabetes, create a burden for individuals, families, the state and the nation.
The primary mission of the West Virginia Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (WV DPCP) is to increase the quality of life for persons with diabetes living in West Virginia through collaboration and coordination with a variety of other health care systems within the state such as; Federally Qualified Health Care Centers, look-alike primary care clinics, primary care providers, health care professionals, hospitals, Medicaid, Medicare, other health care insurers and pharmaceutical companies.
The WV DPCP advocates for and promotes the National Diabetes Objectives, which are for people with diabetes to have annual dilated eye exams, at least biannual HbA1c tests, annual flu immunization, pneumococcal immunization, and annual comprehensive exam of the feet. The WV DPCP also promotes the national objectives of wellness, physical activity, weight and blood pressure control, smoking cessation and reducing health disparities for high risk groups.
Based on the statewide Essential Public Health Services assessment in 2002, the WV DPCP developed the “West Virginia Diabetes Strategic Plan 2002-2007" which includes the following program goals:
· To maintain and improve surveillance capacity and capability of the diabetes health care system in West Virginia.
· To improve health and reduce cost by increasing access to and availability of quality diabetes services and care.
· To increase awareness of current diabetes guidelines (standards of care, evidence based-practices and new technology) for prevention and control of diabetes and associated complications.
· To establish linkages with existing programs and assist with developing new programs that promote positive health behaviors related to diabetes.
· To promote improved diabetes health and reduce morbidity and mortality due to diabetes complications by utilizing statewide partnerships.
