In collaboration with: The Midwestern Public Health Training Center and the American Diabetes Association

Problem Statement: Public health systems, like many other systems, function in silos. With dwindling resources and increased demands to address public health concerns, it is important now more than ever to collaborate on addressing issues and improve coordination of these services– leveraging national, regional, state, and local infrastructures. The Midwestern Public Health Training Center (MPHTC) and two RWJF PHN Leaders coordinated an inaugural Region VII summit on diabetes, a condition that has reached epidemic proportions and disproportionately affects minority populations.

Approach: Partnering with the Region VII Midwestern Public Health Training Center, two surveys were developed to assess diabetes prevention and control needs in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. The surveys identified current gaps and barriers in offering diabetes prevention program (DPP) services and diabetes self-management education (DSME) services for patients within the health care setting.  In addition, the surveys identified gaps and barriers within current or potential diabetes prevention providers and generated a better understanding of the existing DPP infrastructure within each of the states. Information gained from the surveys framed discussion at the Region VII Diabetes Summit where health care and public health professionals were invited to address diabetes prevention and control efforts in their respective states.

Products/Outcome: Planning teams from multidisciplinary agencies formed within the four states. Representation included professionals from the MPHTC, state and local public health, American Diabetes Association, Y.M.C.A, the Association of Public Health Nurses, nonprofit healthcare organizations and academic staff from the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska. Data obtained through this project has been instrumental in formulating continued strategies in addressing diabetes prevention and control within the region, states, and locally.

Implications: Diabetes rates in the United States are approaching epidemic proportions. It is estimated that more than 100 million people living in the US are living with diabetes or prediabetes. The increasing financial, physical, emotional and social impact trend this disease has taken is unsustainable. Continued synergy amongst multidisciplinary health care teams such as the ones formed through this project is vital for addressing future diabetes control and prevention efforts.