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Partner Spotlight

The Diabetes Community Action Coalition of Fulton County Rallies against Diabetes

Background

The Diabetes Community Action Coalition of Fulton County in Atlanta, Georgia hit the streets to promote and distribute NDEP’s messages to high-risk minority populations at worksites, free clinics, health fairs, senior centers, the YMCA, various meetings, and neighborhood events throughout the city of Atlanta. Formed in March 2011, the Coalition collaborates with over 90 member organizations in an effort to reduce the health and financial burden that diabetes is placing on the county.

Outreach and Promotions

The Coalition developed a diabetes awareness campaign using and adapting NDEP materials, including NDEP’s 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life., Small Steps. Big Rewards. Your GAME PLAN to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes, and “Know Your Diabetes ABCs, Just Like You Know Your Other Numbers” print PSA, which was modified to include a smoke-free message.

Additionally, the Coalition collaborated with the United Methodist Men to bring the “Know Your Diabetes ABCs” message to African American residents of the Pittsburgh neighborhood at a Community Forum and Rally. The Pittsburgh community is the oldest and one of the poorest African American neighborhoods in Atlanta. Compared to the city of Atlanta where 24% of the households live below the poverty level, 40% of the households in this historic neighborhood live in poverty. During the rally, the Coalition engaged residents and distributed 100 bags filled with NDEP’s diabetes management materials and 25 bags filled with NDEP’s prevention materials. In addition to NDEP materials, the Atlanta Regional Health Guide: Resources for the Uninsured was shared to address the health disparities related to access to health care.

The Coalition continues to serve the Pittsburgh community through a partnership with the Center for Black Women’s Wellness through its Safety Net Clinic and Healthy Start program.

For more information, contact Vicki Karnes at vkarnes54@comcast.net.

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The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan Uses NDEP Resources to Promote Monthly Diabetes Themes

The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) has been innovative in promoting NDEP offerings through traditional media, such as print media and radio, and nontraditional media such as Facebook and Twitter. Each month, the NKFM supports creative “themes” using resources and tools from NDEP to help raise awareness about diabetes management and prevention.

Outreach and Promotions

In October 2011, the NKFM focused its promotions on Family Health Month with family-oriented media outreach efforts. For example, the organization developed and distributed a press release that incorporated NDEP information to promote getting healthy as a family by eating healthy and exercising together. The theme was also promoted in NKFM’s monthly staff newsletter.

In November 2011, the NKFM used NDEP’s resources developed in support of National Diabetes Month. The organization distributed two press releases and several 10-, 15-, and 30-second public service announcements to communities with a high prevalence of diabetes. In addition, the NKFM promoted NDEP’s 4 Questions You Should Ask and More Than 50 Ways to Prevent Diabetes resources on Facebook and Twitter. Toward the end November, the organization continued to promote National Diabetes Month via social media with the theme “Eating Healthy at Thanksgiving Dinner” using NDEP’s resources on eating healthy at family gatherings and special events.

In January, the NKFM promoted the theme “Get Healthy and Control Your Diabetes in 2012.” The organization encouraged people with and at risk for type 2 diabetes to make a New Year’s resolution to get healthy. The NKFM also adapted NDEP messages to create a press release promoting diabetes-related programs, classes, and activities throughout Michigan. Social media outreach included sharing NDEP’s New Year’s Resolution Maker on Facebook and motivating people to use the tool to set a goal for the New Year.

Throughout February, the NKFM promoted African American History Month utilizing NDEP offerings targeted to African Americans. Press releases and social media outreach supported the message that African Americans are at higher risk for diabetes and offered links to the NDEP Facebook page and website.

Evaluation

Through evaluating outreach around these monthly promotional activities, the NKFM learned that the best way to communicate NDEP offerings is to distribute a wide variety of materials in a variety of media formats. The organization has been able to reach a large audience by using social media, print media, and word of mouth.

To learn more, contact Lindsay Bacon at lbacon@nkfm.org.

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VSP Vision Care Adapts NDEP Resources to Meet the Needs of Eye Care Professionals, Patients, and the Community

Background

With a doctor network of approximately 28,000 eye care professionals and 56 million members, VSP Vision Care (VSP) is in a position to make a significant and far reaching impact on a large number of Americans. As a not for profit company, VSP is committed to giving back to the community and believes in improving health and quality of life of millions of people. Making a positive impact on the diabetes epidemic is a top company priority.

Projects and Promotions

The VSP Eye on Diabetes campaign was designed to increase consumer awareness around the importance of comprehensive eye care in detecting and managing diabetes as well as support VSP network doctors with continuing education in providing this essential care. The campaign was launched in 2010 and has reached eight states throughout the country.

In partnership with the VSP Mobile Eyes Program, the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), State Optometric Associations, and local VSP network doctors, nearly 2,900 low-income, uninsured and underinsured people had access to free comprehensive eye exams, eyewear, and diabetes screenings. Of those, nearly 200 people were referred to their primary care physician for additional treatment. VSP also offers optometrists COPE-approved continuing education with two nationally recognized speakers who cover the PPOD disciplines along with other diabetes care guidelines.

VSP printed 4,200 copies of NDEP’s 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life. booklet in English and Spanish to distribute at events in Lansing, Michigan; Atlanta, Georgia; and Los Angeles, California. The 4 Steps booklet is also available on the VSP website for doctors to print and give to patients and the organization will be making it available to members and benefit managers in the near future.

Additionally, VSP worked closely with NDEP to develop a single page patient educational flyer that includes an authorization for services for our members who have previously been identified as having diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, or high cholesterol. Developed as an easy-to-use, ready-to-print handout, the flyer is a simple way for doctors to provide patients information about their disease and how to get additional materials and resources through NDEP.

In partnership with NDEP, a positive impact has been made on the diabetes epidemic through outreach programs, education, and marketing tools.

To learn more, contact Jessica Hein, Outreach Coordinator, at jesshe@vsp.com.

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Dr. Philip Rodgers, Clinical Pharmacist at Duke University Hospital, for Promoting NDEP Resources and a Team Approach to Diabetes Care in Clinical and Classroom Settings

Background

Dr. Philip Rodgers, a clinical pharmacist at Duke University Hospital, has been promoting a health care team approach for diabetes management—which includes pharmacists—for a number of years. As an NDEP partner, he has promoted the use of NDEP’s web site and products within his clinic, with his students, and with colleagues across the country. Dr. Rodgers was a member of the NDEP’s Pharmacy, Podiatry, Optometry, and Dentistry (PPOD) Work Group, which developed the booklet, Working Together to Manage Diabetes, a guide for pharmacists, podiatrists, optometrists, and dental professionals. Dr. Rodgers is currently working with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) to develop a Diabetes Training Certificate Program for pharmacists which will incorporate NDEP’s materials. He is a professional speaker on the diabetes management team approach and speaks to health care professionals across the country.

Projects and Promotions

At the clinic, Dr. Rodgers runs a Diabetes Management Program where he provides diabetes control counseling, uses NDEP resources to help patients gain a better understanding of their disease, and optimizes the use of diabetes medications with physicians.

Due to access to patients, pharmacists often play a vital role in catching foot, eye, or oral complications that may develop and can recommend patients seek out a specialist, like a podiatrist, optometrist, or dentist. Dr. Rodgers is among a growing number of pharmacists who are using a collaborative approach with physicians and other health care providers to score the best outcomes for their patients.

As an NDEP partner, Dr. Rodgers is an advocate of the diabetes team care approach and frequently refers other health care professionals to NDEP’s website. Dr. Rodgers also promotes NDEP’s materials and website in the classroom. A clinical associate professor at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, he directs his students to the materials located on the site, including the publication Diabetes Medications Supplement. This handy NDEP reference is a real hit among medical students and practitioners alike because it provides a table of the many medications used to manage blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol and highlights the side effects and precautions of each.

Finally, Dr. Rodgers uses his professional affiliations to stress the importance of including pharmacists in diabetes management. He is often asked to speak at organizations across the country on the subject. Hoping to see more pharmacists become involved in diabetes management and education, he joined an APhA committee tasked with revising its Diabetes Certificate Training. The program, scheduled to be available next year, will incorporate NDEP materials into the training.

For more information, contact Dr. Rodgers at Philip.Rodgers@duke.edu.

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Texas-based Día de la Mujer Latina Adapts NDEP’s Road to Health Toolkit for Bilingual Health Fiesta Training Program

Día de la Mujer Latina (Day of the Latin American Woman) (DML) is a nonprofit, community-based grassroots organization approved by the state of Texas as a sponsored certification training program for promotores (community health workers). DML’s mission is to address the health disparities in the Latino population through its innovative, culturally specific “health fiesta” model. The organization’s strength lies in its coalition and partnership building efforts with community-based organizations, local businesses, regional and national government entities, health care providers, and key stakeholders.

The DML Health Fiesta is designed to bring preventive health care services directly to the community. The bilingual training program consists of eight core competencies. As part of its knowledge-based skills portion, the DML Health Fiesta incorporates chronic disease prevention, using NDEP’s The Road to Health Toolkit as a roadmap.

The goals of the training include teaching participants how to:

• Educate communities about the relationship between cancer, diet, nutrition, fitness, and obesity
• Promote cultural understanding in addressing diet, nutrition, and fitness
• Learn creative methods of communication to help clients to understand risk factors
• Develop and incorporate a culturally relevant nutrition and fitness plan into patients’ lives

During the health fiestas held across Texas in 2011, DML’s promotores were trained by Yajaira Lara, a certified diabetes instructor who also has diabetes. Participants took turns conducting diabetes and hypertension screening using their monitors. Many promotores participated in the educational workshops, while others facilitated the screenings and motivated folks to do a Zumba workout.

As a result of the 2011 health fiestas, 161 promotores were trained using the curriculum in The Road to Health Toolkit, and 52 have gone on to address obesity and conduct screenings (using blood pressure and glucose monitors) in their churches.

For more information, contact Venus Ginés at diadelamujerlatina@gmail.com.

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National Latina Health Network Uses Web Channels to Promote NDEP’s National Diabetes Month

The National Latina Health Network (NLHN) promoted NDEP’s messages and materials across a variety of web platforms during National Diabetes Month in November 2010.  NLHN worked with popular blogger SoLatina to promote awareness of gestational diabetes (GDM).  Working together, NLHN and SoLatina developed an article entitled New Moms Can Prevent Diabetes by Keeping up Healthy Habits. The article encouraged Latina women with a history of GDM to get screened for diabetes and to reach and maintain a healthy weight by being active and making healthy food choices. SoLatina helped spread the word by posting the article on its Facebook page and engaged followers by encouraging them to post comments on the article and share their own experiences with gestational diabetes.  By partnering with SoLatina, NLHN was able to spread the word about gestational diabetes to more than 33,000 Latina mothers.

NLHN also posted a link to NDEP on its Twitter page and promoted NDEP’s The Road to Health Toolkit Training Video on its YouTube page.

This year, to help partners follow in NLHN’s footsteps and shine a spotlight on diabetes during National Diabetes Month, NDEP has three easy ways for you to get involved:

1. Link to the NDEP website: Post NDEP web buttons to your organization’s website and encourage your partners to do the same. Just like NLHN, you can help spread NDEP’s messages simply by linking back to the NDEP website!
2. Share our articles: Post one of NDEP’s many ready-to-use articles on your website or in your organization’s newsletter. Follow NLHN’s example and work with a blogger or local media to reach your target audience.
3. Engage using social media: Like and comment on Facebook posts, retweet NDEP messages, and share NDEP videos. Engage your social media followers as NLHN and SoLatina did by encouraging them to comment on your National Diabetes Month posts.

To learn more about the National Latina Health Network, visit www.nlhn.net.

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Nevada Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (NDPCP) Uses NDEP's Road to Health Toolkit to Improve Self-care for Latino/Hispanic Communities

Background

When the Nevada State Health Division's Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (NDPCP) set out to decrease the burden of diabetes in the Latino/Hispanic communities in the state's southern region, the program focused on strategies to reduce the onset of diabetes and ways to improve self-care. In response to Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, which showed that the Latino population had the region's lowest rates of self-care, NDPCP began to develop a program to provide free diabetes self-management education classes for Spanish-speaking residents who had diabetes, were at high risk for developing diabetes, or cared for someone with diabetes. Encouraging peer-to-peer education and inspiring behavior change in the community were key goals.

Outreach and Promotions

NDPCP examined a range of evidence-based tools and chose the U.S. Diabetes Conversation Map® program sponsored by Merck to begin building a program that teaches self-management skills to patient groups. However, the Conversation Map program only featured four sessions and focused primarily on the emotional aspects of diabetes control. The NDEP Road to Health Toolkit, available in English and Spanish, provided the perfect complement to the Conversation Map program. NDPCP incorporated components of the Road to Health Toolkit—including two 2-hour sessions on nutrition and physical activity—to create Road to a Healthier You, a comprehensive 6-week classroom-based prevention program for Spanish-speaking communities. NDPCP's Road to a Healthier You program earned the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2011 Frankie Award for promotion of NDEP resources to address disparities.

Evaluation

Nearly 1 year into the project, Marjorie Franzen-Weiss, DPCP coordinator at the Nevada State Health Division, said, "The two programs are a natural fit…they complement each other very well."

Evaluation is being conducted at pre- and post-course and at 3- and 6-month intervals to determine changes in self-efficacy and health behavior. As of April 2011, preliminary findings indicated that:

• The majority of class participants (91%) were willing and able to start making changes in their daily lives to better manage their diabetes health.
• All of the participants who took both a pre- and post-test reported having set a goal or made a plan to start changing their daily lives to better manage their diabetes (health).

"This was our first year. We're in the building phase, so we don't have a lot of data yet." Franzen-Weiss added. "We are still trying to evaluate if the program is making a difference."

NDPCP praises the NDEP Road to Health Toolkit as "a wonderfully, culturally adapted piece" that has helped to magnify the reach and impact of the division's limited budget. As the program has unfolded, the key lesson learned, according to Franzen-Weiss, is that "you don't know what is going to work until you get started."

For more information about the Nevada State Health Division DPCP, contact Marjorie Franzen-Weiss, M.P.H., CHES, at maweiss@health.nv.gov.

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Texas DPCP Develops Media Campaigns to Promote, Adapt NDEP Resources

From August 23 through September 12, 2010, the Texas Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) adapted NDEP’s “Paso a Paso” diabetes prevention radio public service announcements (PSAs), which aired in Corpus Christi, Houston, Laredo, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. The target audience—Hispanics/Latinos ages 25 to 54—heard the spots an average of nearly 12 times in Corpus Christi, more than seven times in Laredo and in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, and nearly 9 times in Houston, reaching an estimated 750,000 listeners.

In addition to radio, the Texas DPCP also utilized print media to extend the reach of NDEP’s campaigns, messages, and resources. A print PSA was placed in the diabetes issue of SmartSource magazine. Also, a coupon insert was placed in Sunday newspapers in Corpus Christi, Laredo, Brownsville/Lower Rio Grande Valley, and Galveston, with an estimated audience reach of nearly 5 million throughout the state. In addition, the Texas DPCP utilized NDEP’s diabetes prevention messages and print PSA artwork for a billboard in Laredo. The billboard directed viewers to a diabetes education program being held at Mercy Clinic.

For more information about these promotions, contact Richard Kropp at Richard.Kropp@dshs.state.tx.us.

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New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) Diabetes Campaign Hosts Road to Health Trainings

The New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) is halfway through a five-year campaign that was developed to address the diabetes epidemic in New York state. One goal of the NYSHealth Diabetes Campaign is to build on existing community resources and strengthen their capacity to provide education, screening, and self-management support related to diabetes prevention and care. NYSHealth believes that while there is an abundance of educational information related to diabetes prevention and management, there are not enough qualified educators in the communities that are most affected by diabetes to deliver these messages.

In an effort to promote diabetes education to community health educators, NYSHealth utilized NDEP’s The Road to Health Toolkit to host two one-day Road to Health trainings (one in English and one in Spanish). NYSHealth invited community health workers, nurses, health educators, and dietitians. Criteria for attending the trainings included a basic working knowledge of diabetes, strong leadership skills, and a demonstrated ability to:

• access hard-to-reach populations
• develop trusting relationships with clients
• reflect the linguistic and cultural diversity of the population they serve
• address specific needs, such as adapting health regimens to family and community dynamics

Betsy Rodriguez, R.N, B.S.N., M.S.N., C.D.E., and Alexis Williams, M.P.H., C.H.E.S., from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) led the trainings. Participants—35 at each session—also signed up to receive invitations to participate in free monthly NYSHealth Diabetes Campaign webinars on topics, such as diabetes and depression in the Hispanic/Latino community, diet and exercise in diabetes management, diabetes group visits in primary care, foot care, and diabetes care. Participants also received a packet of NYSHealth Diabetes Campaign materials.

Evaluation

As part of the CDC’s and NYSHealth’s efforts to evaluate the training, each participant completed an evaluation form at the conclusion of the training. A sample of the evaluation data showed:

• 90 percent of participants reported being “very satisfied” with the training
• 100 percent of participants reported that the purpose, goals, and objectives of The Road to Health Toolkit were met through the presentation
• 75 percent of participants felt prepared to deliver the messages to people in their community or at their practice site

Due to the overwhelming demand for The Road to Health training, NYSHealth has organized two additional trainings, which will be conducted in Long Island, N.Y., where there is an increased need for diabetes self-management support and education among Hispanic/Latino and American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

For more information about how NYSHealth utilized NDEP’s The Road to Health Toolkit to design training sessions, contact Wanda Montalvo, R.N., M.S.N., A.N.P. at Montalvo@nyshealth.org. To learn more about NYSHealth, visit www.nysdiabetescampaign.org.

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New Hampshire Diabetes Education Program Collaborates with 16 Partners to Support NDEP’s National Diabetes Month Messages and Materials

The New Hampshire Diabetes Education Program (NHDEP) collaborated with partners and agencies throughout the state to spread NDEP’s National Diabetes Month 2010 campaign messages, which focused on family health history as a risk factor for diabetes.

NHDEP encouraged community health centers, programs within the Division of Public Health Services (DPHS), and agencies throughout the state to get involved. Participants included agency Wellness Coordinators (WC), the NH Tobacco Prevention Control Program (TPCP), the Public Information Office, the Legislative Branch, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Transportation.

NHDEP assisted the following partners in promoting NDEP’s National Diabetes Month campaign messages and materials:

• Agency WCs encouraged state employees and their families to engage in diabetes prevention and/ or management behaviors.
• The NH TPCP distributed pledge cards and NDEP’s Small Steps. Big Rewards. Your GAME PLAN to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: Information for Patients “Fat and Calorie Counter” to coordinate with the November Great American Smokeout campaign.
• NH’s October newsletter for state employees, State of New Hampshire Wellness Program News, and NHDEP’s partner newsletter, New Hampshire Diabetes Digest, included articles promoting NDEP’s campaign initiatives.
• NHDEP, NH TPCP, and DPHS coordinated a campaign kick-off event, which included a training session for WCs focused on the relationship between obesity and diabetes. During the event, the organizations distributed NDEP materials, including, Your GAME PLAN to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: Information for Patients, It’s Never Too Early to Prevent Diabetes, 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life., and Help a Loved One with Diabetes.
• NHDEP worked with the Public Information Office to issue a press release based on a template release developed by NDEP. The release featured quotes by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and the Director of Public Health Services.
• The Legislative Branch hosted a “Healthy Snack Day.”
• The Department of Agriculture hosted a “Healthy Potluck Contest.”
• The NH Hospital coordinated a wellness fair.
• The Department of Transportation coordinated a Great American Smokeout run/ walk and provided participants with diabetes information.

Results

NHDEP motivated 16 out of 43 state agencies to participate in its overall efforts. This resulted in 185 pledges in honor of National Diabetes Month, 11 displays including NDEP materials in agency buildings, and email updates to state employees.

For additional information about NHDEP’s collaboration efforts, contact Marisa Lara at Marisa.Lara@dhhs.state.nh.us.

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The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department Adapts NDEP’s Movimiento DVD for Local Support Group

Background

The Lexington-Fayette County Diabetes Coalition offered to sponsor the new walking DVD project in order to offer a more structured program along with Latin movements to increase physical activity. The purpose of this project was to meet the needs of Spanish-speaking support group members who were struggling to find a tool to help expand their physical activity options. A local Zumba instructor choreographed the Latin steps using six songs from NDEP’s Movimiento por su vida soundtrack, as well as several purchased music tracks. A local film group was contracted to produce and edit the DVD. Support group members practiced several times a week for three months before the DVD was produced. A local dance company donated their space for the video shoot. A total of 500 DVDs were produced for a total expense of $6,500. This low cost reflected the multiple cooperative partners that invested in this project, including: Bluegrass Community Health Center, Kentucky Dance Sport, and the Keeneland Association.

Evaluation

In terms of evaluation, the program continues to track individuals who are using the DVD. Plans are underway to follow up in six months to evaluate how effective the DVD is in promoting daily physical activity.

For more information about this project, please contact Janey Wendschlag, R.N., B.S.N. at Janeyl.Wendschlag@ky.gov.

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Deerghayu Foundation Utilizes NDEP’s Road to Health Toolkit in Rural Communities in India

Background

The Deerghayu Foundation is a registered nonprofit organization with locations in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India and Atlanta, Ga. The organization strives to make a difference in India by focusing on helping people make behavior changes to prevent chronic noncommunicable diseases. The foundation strongly believes in its motto, “Outreach, Innovate, and Prevent Lifestyle Diseases,” and reaches communities in inner cities and villages with innovative training methods where health care and knowledge about lifestyle diseases are often scarce. Since its inception in the spring of 2010, the foundation has reached more than 2,000 people in south eastern Rajasthan. To learn more about the foundation or to see videos and photos of the training sessions, click here.

Research

The foundation conducted a door-to-door survey in six districts of south eastern Rajasthan to identify health needs in the community. Survey questions focused on hypertension and diabetes prevalence, family health history, awareness of diseases, frequency of medical care, and use of alternative medicine. The survey results guided the development and design of a comprehensive pilot program for diabetes awareness and behavior change—a challenge in a large country area with very few doctors and no system of diabetes educators. A comprehensive review of existing diabetes tools guided the foundation to NDEP’s resources that address the needs of communities, particularly those targeting non-health care professionals. The goal of the pilot program is to evaluate the process of adapting NDEP’s Road to Health Toolkit to the needs of diabetes and hypertension detection camps at inner-city areas, remote villages, workplaces, residential complexes, and community centers.

Implementation

The foundation has developed and utilized several educational tools including the Road to Health Toolkit. The foundation utilized the toolkit through a special camp that was organized for professors of the Meera Girls College. Classes were implemented in rural communities to provide tips for healthy eating and disease prevention. Plans are underway to adapt and customize the toolkit in Hindi and Gujarati languages and to the appropriate skill level of rural health care workers.

Results & Lessons Learned

Despite many health care system challenges for diabetes education and care that India is facing, participants at the clinic appreciate the “Traffic Light Method” and the way a human story is conveyed by a brother and sister pair. The key message of this toolkit—prevention—is very positive and is appreciated by the participants in the Indian culture. To date, more than 300 people in India have been educated using this toolkit.

For more information about this effort, contact Anand Chaturvedi at anandchaturvedi@gmail.com.

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2011 Frankie Awards

CDC’s annual Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT) Frankie Awards, named in honor of Frank Vinicor, M.D., former director of CDC’s DDT and a founder of NDEP, recognize exemplary promotion and use of NDEP materials and messages in the past calendar year (2010). Awardees were honored during a ceremony on April 11 as part of the DDT meeting in Minneapolis, Minn. The Frankies are competitively judged and awarded in five categories: Use of Media to Promote NDEP, Implementation of an NDEP Program or Activity in the Community, Promotion of NDEP Resources to Address Disparities, Collaborative Partnership Using NDEP Resources, and the Frank Vinicor Award of Excellence.

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Award Winners

Kentucky Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
“Know the ABCs of Diabetes”
Use of Media to Promote NDEP – Use of traditional and nontraditional, broadcast, print, electronic, social, or other media to promote diabetes prevention and/or control using NDEP resources

The purpose of this activity was to raise awareness of the ABCs of diabetes (as measured by A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol) and the importance of managing them for people with diabetes. The target audience was people with diabetes, with emphasis on the high-risk Appalachian and African-American populations. Raising awareness of the ABCs of diabetes through multiple channels encouraged those with diabetes to learn what their ABCs are and to make the necessary behavior changes (i.e., diet/physical activity modifications) to manage their diabetes and reduce the risks for diabetes complications. The Kentucky Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (KDPCP) and partners conducted a variety of activities to promote NDEP’s diabetes control (ABC) campaign messages and materials. Many media venues were used throughout the state including: billboards, television and radio programs, marquee/wall boards, newsletter and newspaper articles, material distribution, and websites. NDEP feature articles were distributed monthly by the KDPCP and Kentucky Diabetes Network Patient Education Work Group to all partners to be placed in local newsletters, newspapers, and magazines. Many NDEP materials, such as 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life.; If You Have Diabetes, Know Your Blood Sugar Numbers; Tips to Help You Stay Healthy and Take Care of Your Heart. Manage Your Diabetes., were distributed at health fairs and through displays, and diabetes classes. In addition, NDEP’s Know Your Diabetes ABCs Just Like You Know Your Other Numbers and You Don’t Need to Be a Superhero to Manage Your Diabetes. You Need to Control Your ABCs. messages were used on billboards. Also, “Managing diabetes is not easy, but it’s worth it to prevent or delay complications!” and other ABCs of diabetes messages were placed on payroll stubs or used as payroll stuffers. Several television and radio programs on the importance of knowing one’s ABCs and managing them were presented by diabetes staff from local health departments across the state. Many were broadcast in conjunction with and promoted local community diabetes activities. The KDPCP and partners report activities through the web-based CATALYST Diabetes. As of December 31, 2010, total exposure to diabetes control messages was reported as 27,809,604.

Utah Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, Alliance Community Services, National Tongan American Society, Utah Nutrition Council, Tooele County Local Health Department, and Utah County Local Health Department
“Go Local with NDEP!”
Implementation of an NDEP Program or Activity in the Community – Use of NDEP resources to provide heath education one-on-one or in a group, such as in a health care, worksite, school, faith-based, or other community setting

The purpose of this activity was to market NDEP materials and conduct activities using NDEP resources, while allowing community leaders to use their creativity. The Utah Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) subscribes to the idea that messages heard from someone who is an actual member of the community will have a greater impact than messages that come from agencies that are less connected to the community. The target audiences included Hispanic/Latino, Pacific Islander, and American Indian communities; uninsured residents; and Utah county residents. This multi-community project was developed to encourage healthier lifestyles and self-management behaviors for people with and at risk for diabetes. The Utah DPCP funded the Utah county and Tooele county local health departments to develop diabetes coalitions and pilot test NDEP campaigns. The coalitions were comprised of diabetes professionals, community leaders, and people with diabetes. The coalitions were charged with adapting and disseminating NDEP messages and materials that suited the characteristics of their unique populations. To further encourage diabetes awareness through the use of NDEP materials, the Utah DPCP solicited applications from community organizations that worked with at risk Utahans. The Utah DPCP encouraged creativity and provided seed funding to assist successful applicants in their efforts. Each organization carefully tracks the number and types of NDEP materials distributed, and the estimated number of people reached. The Utah DPCP will publish the adapted NDEP materials on its website and announce their availability through its listserv. To date, this campaign has reached approximately 9,390 individuals directly. Among those, about 1,215 were diabetes professionals or community leaders who work with racial/ethnic minorities or other underserved populations at risk for diabetes. Therefore, the indirect reach is much greater.

Nevada Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
“Road to a Healthier You” in English and Spanish
Promotion of NDEP Resources to Address Disparities – Use of NDEP resources to address populations disproportionately burdened by diabetes (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, people of low socioeconomic status, rural populations, women, and people in some regions of the country)

The purpose of this activity was to decrease the risk of developing diabetes and its complications in the Hispanic/Latino population through a six-week, community-based diabetes education program. The program was developed to empower self-management, increase physical activity, and promote healthy weight and appropriate preventive medical care. The focus was to create an environmental change in Hispanic/Latino communities in Nevada. Clark County, located in Las Vegas, is the lead program with expansion to northern and rural Nevada. A six-week diabetes self-management and prevention course using NDEP’s Road to Health Toolkit in English and Spanish and the U.S. Conversation Maps, also available in English and Spanish, was developed. Evaluation is being conducted at pre- and post-course and three-month and six-month intervals to determine changes in self-efficacy and health behavior change.

California Diabetes Program
World Diabetes Day California State Capitol lighting event
Collaborative Partnership Using NDEP Resources – Partnership between work groups, non-profit, private, and/or government organizations to disseminate materials or implement public health initiatives using NDEP resources

This activity was a diabetes prevention and control public awareness and education event. The target audiences were people with and at risk for diabetes, health care decision makers, policy makers, and the media. This activity addressed risk reduction for diabetes and diabetes complications through healthy eating and physical activity. As a part of the World Diabetes Day campaign, the collaboration of partners recognized the need for diabetes awareness and education within the state of California. Information provided by the California Diabetes Program helped assess the need to plan and implement the event, and the World Diabetes Day campaign guided the collaboration to develop the event activities. NDEP messages, curricula, and materials helped to structure the event’s promotional materials, resources and public relations information. Through a partnership of the American Diabetes Association’s regional office in Sacramento, the California Diabetes Program, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, Sutter Health Foundation, private industry, and several Sacramento community-based organizations, public awareness outreach was planned and implemented. For instance, these organizations developed and obtained a state Governor’s Proclamation for diabetes awareness and hosted an event on the steps of the capitol. The event included more than 300 attendees, health fair exhibits, healthy food sampling, Jazzercise, soul line dancing, and inspiring speakers. This event was the perfect opportunity to feature NDEP’s messages, materials, and information, including the Power to Prevent: A Family Lifestyle Approach to Diabetes Prevention curriculum, the Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands brochure, Small Steps, Big Rewards. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes and Control Your Diabetes. For Life. campaign materials, It’s Not Too Late to Prevent Diabetes, More Than 50 Ways to Prevent Diabetes, Prevengamos la diabetes tipo 2. Paso a paso, and the Tips for Kids and Tips for Teens tip sheet series. More than 300 people attended the event. In addition, the event was featured on the evening news of six local news stations. The Governor’s Proclamation was featured on the state of California’s website and the event was promoted through the World Diabetes Day and California Diabetes Program’s websites.

Utah Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, Alliance Community Services, National Tongan American Society, Utah Nutrition Council, Tooele County Local Health Department, and Utah County Local Health Department
“Go Local with NDEP!”
Frank Vinicor Award of Excellence - This is the highest award given by NDEP and is for exemplary use or adaptation of NDEP resources in a comprehensive, multifaceted initiative to address behavior change

For program details, see “Implementation of an NDEP Program or Activity in the Community” description above.

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Honorable Mentions

Use of Media to Promote NDEP:

• Diabetes and Prediabetes Media Campaigns
  U.S. Virgin Islands Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
• Reaching People Where They Are… For Good Health
  Alabama Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
  Debra Griffin, LaMont Pack, Sally Palmer, Karl Bryant, Kathy Blaze , Pam Craig, Demetra Peoples, Representative Mary Sue McClerkin, Mayor Omar Neal, Lillie Hall, Benjamin Moreira, Carolyn Bern, Arrol Sheehan, Takenya Taylor, Farmers Convention staff, Alabama Department of Environmental Management staff, Montgomery Therapeutic Center staff, and Maxwell Air Force Base

Implementation of an NDEP Program or Activity in the Community:

• Taking Ownership of Your Diabetes
  University of Kentucky
  Margaret E. Cook-Newell, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., C.D.E.; Hazel Forsythe, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., C.F.C.S.; Irene Hong-McAtee, M.D., M.C.R.; Laura Hieronymus, M.S. Ed., A.P.R.N., B.C.-A.D.M., C.D.E.; Stephen D. Perry, M.S., R.D., L.D.; Pam Sigler, M.S.; Lynn Blankenship, M.S.; Cheryl Case, M.S.; Ann Hollon; Theresa Scott, M.S.; Tamara Thomas M.S.; and Adrienne Glodt

Promotion of NDEP Resources to Address Disparities:

• Cenando con Diabetes en Pennsylvania
  Penn State Cooperative Extension
• Healthy Communities Start with You
  National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
  Jodi Burke, Art Franke, Laurie Gustafson, Ruth Kaleniecki, Kristie King, Wendy Lombard,
  Jerry Yee, M.D., Michigan Department of Community Health, CHASS-REACH Detroit, Henry Ford Health Systems, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Health Alliance Plan, Omnicare Health Plan, Greater Detroit Area Health Council, Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Wayne County Department of Public Health, federally-qualified health centers, area primary care providers, hospital and physician associations, senior centers, faith-based and other community groups that refer participants to the programs
• The Links to Chronic Kidney Disease: Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Family History community program
  Wisconsin Diabetes Prevention and Control Program

Collaborative Partnership Using NDEP Resources:

• La Familia Diabetes Prevention Awareness and Screening Exhibit in St. Paul, Minn.
  Minnesota Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
  Marsha Hughes, HealthEast Diabetes Care System and St. Paul Lion’s Club; Sheryl Grover, Minneapolis-St. Paul YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program; Rita Mays, Minnesota Diabetes Program; and Minnesota Department of Health
• The Ohio Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Collaboration
  Division of Family and Community Health Services, the Office of Healthy Ohio Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, and the State Epidemiology Office
• The Massachusetts Diabetes Education Program Coalition: Working Together to Manage Diabetes
  Massachusetts Diabetes Education Program

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Alabama Department of Public Health Partners with NDEP for Diabetes Campaigns

The Alabama Department of Public Health’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Wellness Program promoted its Walk at Work campaign during National Diabetes Month in November 2010. The campaign was endorsed by the state health officer and supervisors from each of the bureaus and divisions at the health department, located at the RSA Tower in Montgomery, Ala. Throughout the month, during 9:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. breaks, a supervisor was scheduled to walk with employees who were interested in walking during the break. The walks consisted of approximately 800 employees separated into groups of three to five. Employees walked for 15 minutes, at least three times a week. The program provided 900 copies of NDEP’s More Than 50 Ways to Prevent Diabetes tip sheet and 650 copies of NDEP’s It’s Not too Late to Prevent Diabetes tip sheet to participants. These materials were shared with 11 public health area sites in the state of Alabama Worksite Wellness Program.

Through a collaboration with its Social Marketing department, Walmart, and Murphy Gas stations, the Alabama Department of Public Health developed another campaign, Gas Pump Toppers, which raised awareness of the signs and symptoms of diabetes as well as the complications. As part of the campaign, the Alabama Diabetes Program developed and marketed gas pump topper billboards. The ads also were included in the Alabama Pharmacy Association’s APA Journal and the Alabama health newsletter. From September through November 2010, Gas Pump Topper billboards were displayed at 120 gas stations across the state of Alabama, reaching more than 25 million people. During the month of December, Diabetes Program staff was interviewed on WFSA-TV NBC Channel 12 to discuss family health history as an important risk factor for developing diabetes.

Finally, on March 16, 2011, the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health programs co-sponsored a satellite conference targeting the mental health community with a focus on preventing metabolic syndrome.

For more information about these promotions, contact Debra Griffin at Debra.griffin@adph.state.al.us or (334) 206-2066.

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Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services Promotes NDEP’s School Guide During Telehealth Workshop

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services conducted a Diabetes Telehealth Workshop promoting the NDEP’s Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel utilizing the Nebraska School Nurse Telehealth Network. The Telehealth Network is a valuable resource that provides education and information to multiple sites throughout the state. Partners included: nurse managers, the Nebraska School Health Program, the School Nurse Telehealth Network, diabetes educators, and the St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center.

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants were able to describe effective nursing diabetes management principles and the nurse’s role in the school setting. A certified diabetes educator from St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center conducted the workshop, which focused on:

• encouraging use of NDEP’s School Guide
• raising awareness of the guide among school personnel
• accessing the guide from the NDEP website, www.YourDiabetesInfo.org/SchoolGuide

In addition, a resource sheet with information on the guide was provided to participants. To increase access to school personnel, a link to the guide was posted to the Nebraska School Health Program’s website.

An evaluation of the workshop showed that the majority of participants had positive feedback. The workshop reached a total of 21 sites throughout Nebraska, with 60 certificates of participation issued. Since Nebraska is a rural state, a larger number of school health nurses were reached via the Telehealth workshop.

To learn more about this promotion, contact Kathy Goddard at kathy.goddard@nebraska.gov or (402) 471-0194.

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Frederick County Health Department Receives Model Practice Award for its Diabetes Prevention Program, Power to Prevent

The Frederick County Health Department was recently highlighted in NDEP’s March Partner Spotlight for launching Power to Prevent, a lifestyle diabetes prevention program that utilizes NDEP’s Power to Prevent: A Family Lifestyle Approach to Diabetes Prevention curriculum. As a follow-up, NDEP is pleased to announce that the Frederick County Health Department has received a Model Practice Award from the National Association of County and City Health Officials’ Model Practice Program for its Power to Prevent program. The overall goal of this program is to reduce the burden of chronic disease by preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes and preventing or delaying health complications associated with type 2 diabetes.

For more information about this program, contact Angela Blair at ablair@FrederickCountyMD.gov or (301) 600-1861.

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The Massachusetts Diabetes Education Program Partners with NDEP to Emphasize the Importance of PPOD Professionals in Diabetes Care

Background

The Massachusetts Diabetes Education Program (MDEP) Coalition is a statewide coalition based on the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) model. This unique MDEP Coalition has a working group of member health providers that is developing a communications program aimed at educating the public and its members regarding the important role that the coalition’s providers play in diabetes management, education, and prevention.

Coalition member pharmacist, podiatrist, optometrist, and dental care (PPOD) professionals are often a primary point of care for people with type 2 diabetes. Working with primary care providers, these professionals play an important role in ensuring that diabetes care is continuous and patient-centered. PPOD professionals educate people with diabetes about the disease, encourage them to practice self-management, provide appropriate treatment, and refer those who require the care of other health professionals.

Goals

The goals of the MDEP Coalition are to:

• Reinforce consistent diabetes prevention and management messages to patients
• Promote a team approach to comprehensive diabetes care
• Encourage collaboration among PPOD care providers to provide enhanced patient care and increase referrals to one another
• Promote diabetes prevention and provide diabetes management education to the public.

The core message of the MDEP is, “If you have diabetes, it’s important to know your blood sugar level, blood pressure, and cholesterol, and to review your medications with your pharmacist each year. It’s also important to bring all your medicines and visit your optometrist and podiatrist at least once a year and your dentist every six months to avoid serious, diabetes-related health problems such as blindness, foot amputations, drug interactions, and heart disease.”

Promotion and Outreach

The MDEP has conducted three education programs, including Yankee Dental Congress 2010 and 2011 and the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Region One conference. More than 650 Massachusetts PPOD providers have seen the PPOD panel presentation, and all materials developed were based on NDEP’s Working Together to Manage Diabetes: A Guide for Pharmacists, Podiatrists, Optometrists, and Dental Professionals, 2007. From late January to late February 2011, the MDEP ran a pilot media campaign that consisted of print, online, and radio public service announcements (PSAs) developed to reach African American and Hispanic/Latino communities. The timing of the campaign coincided with the Yankee Dental Congress MDEP panel presentation and breakout session. The PSAs urged people with diabetes to know their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels and to visit their PPOD medical management team at least annually and twice a year for dentists. Specifically, the PSAs were featured:

• In print publications such as El Planeta, Bay State Banner, and World Journal
• On radio stations such as WORC 1310 AM, WLLH 1400 AM, WACM 1490 AM, and WJFD 97.3 FM
• On local TV channels 4, 5, 6 and 7 and Telemundo

To view the TV PSAs, click here.

The MDEP also has developed a bilingual website, www.mdepcoalition.org, which is available in English and Spanish and links to the NDEP website. Lastly, the MDEP has developed an informational video featuring various PPOD professionals providing tips to help people with diabetes learn how to lower their risk for serious, diabetes-related health problems.

Lessons Learned

“It is paramount that the leadership of organizations be on board with the message. Without the leadership support of the Massachusetts Pharmacists Association, Massachusetts Podiatric Medical Society, Massachusetts Society of Optometrists, and Massachusetts Dental Society committing staff time and money, this coalition would not have been possible. The staff of the organizations were key in this program’s success. We had a great team of talented professionals with which to work, said Lee Ball O.D., F.A.A.O., an NDEP volunteer.

For more information about this program, contact Dr. Ball at wleeballjr@hotmail.com or (978) 646-9093.

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AADE Webinar Highlights NDEP’s School Guide

In March, the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) coordinated a webinar entitled, “Kids and Diabetes: An Assessment of Needs and Resources.” Moderated by Francine Kaufman, M.D., past NDEP chair, the webinar covered:

• What kids and families need to manage diabetes and the resources available to them
• The neuropsychological effect of type 1 and type 2 diabetes on children
• The insulin pump and its role in the child's life
• How kids can manage diabetes at school

As part of the discussion, Dr. Kaufman referenced NDEP’s recently updated Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel as a resource for parents, students, and school personnel. To view upcoming 2011 AADE webinars, click here. To view or download the NDEP School Guide or promotional toolkit, click here.

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Frederick County Health Department Utilizes NDEP’s Power to Prevent Curriculum in Diabetes Prevention Program

Background

In November 2009, the Frederick County Health Department launched Power to Prevent, a lifestyle diabetes prevention program that utilizes NDEP’s Power to Prevent: A Family Lifestyle Approach to Diabetes Prevention curriculum. The overall goal of this program is to reduce the burden of chronic disease by preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes and preventing or delaying health complications associated with type 2 diabetes. People with and at risk for type 2 diabetes are eligible to join the program. Funding for this initiative was made possible by a three-year grant received from the Office of Chronic Disease Prevention of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. To achieve the overall goal, the Power to Prevent program has two primary objectives:

• Overweight participants lose 5 to 7 percent of their weight. Normal weight participants maintain their weight.
• Participants are moderately physically active for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

The program’s third and less central objective is to get participants to see their health care providers for follow-ups and for those who are without a medical home to get them connected with a health care provider.

Participants attend one two-hour class per week for 12 weeks. Thirty minutes of class are dedicated to doing low-impact physical activity. Groups are co-led by a community lay educator and registered dietician (RD). Each participant also receives two individual sessions with the RD and is contacted by the department’s health access coordinator to ensure all participants have seen their health care provider in the past year or are connected with a provider if they do not have one.

The Frederick County Diabetes Coalition serves as the Advisory Committee for this project. Support and in-kind services are provided by at least 10 different community organizations/groups:

• New Dimension Worship Center
• Frederick County Extension Office
• Frederick Memorial Hospital Stroke Program
• Frederick Memorial Hospital Diabetes Program
• The Y
• If the Shoe Fits
• Mission of Mercy
• Hillcrest School Based Health Center
• Menocal Family Practice
• Centro Hispano

Lessons Learned

Some of the lessons learned and modifications made to NDEP’s Power to Prevent curriculum include:

• Use of a co-leader model for the entire 12-week program. A RD and community lay educator share responsibility for teaching each class lesson. More technical and complicated subjects are assigned to the RD.
• In addition to the 12 weeks of classes, participants are eligible for two individual nutrition counseling sessions with the RD.
• Class lessons are augmented with additional handouts. All handouts are also available in Spanish and information on certain subjects of interest, such as whole grains and healthy fish choices, have been added.
• Thirty minutes of each two-hour class are dedicated to doing a low-impact physical activity.
• Based upon participant feedback concerning tracking physical activity and foods eaten, participants are now routinely provided with websites where they can track this information online. Program leaders are also in the process of developing a more user-friendly hard copy tracker. In their experience, participants have a more difficult time recording foods eaten verses physical activity, so they continue to offer encouragement, support, and improved tools and resources. They also offer incentives based on how well participants track these activities and complete their weekly pledge.
• Participants have consistently given high marks for the grocery store tour, which they do for each 12-week cycle, the expert guest speakers, and the simple message of the program “Small steps lead to big rewards.”
• Additionally, participants have stated how important it is that the program is offered for free. Many have stated they simply would not have taken the class if there was a fee. Participants have also reported that the group support and accountability (discussion of food and physical activity trackers) influenced their behavior in positive ways.

Evaluation Results

One of the program’s primary objectives is that overweight participants lose 5 to 7 percent of their weight, and normal weight participants maintain their weight. The RD measures change in participants’ weight based on data collected pre-program, post-program and three months post program.

Based upon results from the 57 graduates who have completed pre/post program weight measurements, 18 percent of graduates lost 5 percent or more of their weight or maintained a normal weight. Among those who lost weight, the average weight loss was 3.2 percent. The number of graduates who lost any amount of weight was 82 percent. Using their pre-session weight as a benchmark, 79 percent of the 33 graduates who completed the three-month follow-up, have maintained their weight loss.

A second primary objective is that participants are moderately physically active for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Participants complete a pre/post survey, which measures time and level of physical activity. Participants use food and activity trackers to record what they eat and their daily level of activity.

Based upon results from the 68 graduates who completed pre/post surveys, participants who engaged in 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity or 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity per day, at least five days per week improved from 35 percent pre-program to 57 percent post-program.

For more information about this program, contact Angela Blair at ablair@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

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Howard University Diabetes Treatment Center Utilizes NDEP Materials to Screen, Treat, Educate Local Residents

Background

The Diabetes Treatment Center at Howard University Hospital, through a grant from the District of Columbia Department of Health, used a medical mobile unit to screen for diabetes and treat and educate people living with diabetes in Washington, D.C. The medical mobile unit is equipped with an electronic medical record that allows nurses, dietitians, and physicians to evaluate and treat patients in the community. The population served is largely African Americans living in the metropolitan area. As part of their education efforts, NDEP’s Power to Prevent: A Family Lifestyle Approach to Diabetes Prevention curriculum was utilized to plan and present their Prediabetes Education Workshop. In addition, NDEP’s It’s Not Too Late to Prevent Diabetes and More Than 50 Ways to Prevent Diabetes handouts were regularly utilized in their community outreach efforts.

With the establishment of group medical visits, the center has found that NDEP’s More Than 50 Ways tip sheet and Small Steps. Big Rewards. Your GAME PLAN to Prevent Diabetes Food and Activity Tracker were great tools to help encourage entire families to participate in the prevention and care of diabetes. In addition to hard copy resources, the center is using a web-based educational portal that allows patients to access other NDEP resources such as the If You Have Diabetes, Know Your Blood Sugar Numbers tip sheet and the “Five Facts About Diabetes” feature article, which includes a byline from Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., M.A.C.P., Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Results

All of these activities have improved patients’ diabetes care knowledge. This has resulted in an average A1C reduction of 1.33 from a baseline of 9.68 percent to 8.35 percent in the 141 patients reviewed from January to December 2010 who have participated in the diabetes education program using many of the NDEP materials.

For more information about this activity, contact Gail Nunlee-Bland, M.D. at gnunlee-bland@howard.edu or (202) 865-3350.

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CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Expands Its Promotion of NDEP Materials

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), the largest health care insurer in the mid-Atlantic region, serving nearly 3.4 million members in Maryland, D.C. and northern Virginia, recently expanded its promotion of NDEP resources. Headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland, CareFirst offers disease management programs for members with diabetes and other chronic diseases. My Care First website provides members with a range of health tools and other online educational resources. At www.carefirst.com/diabetes, users can find a series of diabetes topics and links to additional resources, including the NDEP, NIDDK, National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, and CDC.

Earlier this year, CareFirst expanded its online resources for members by adding new NIDDK and NDEP links to its website, which draws more than 1,000 visitors daily. Among these links visitors can find:

• “Tengo Diabetes,” NDEP’s Spanish-language website for people with diabetes (see carefirst.staywellsolutionsonline.com/spanish/Resources/)

• NIDDK as a source of online resources for members (carefirst.staywellsolutionsonline.com/Conditions/Diabetes/Resources/)

• NDEP’s tip sheet for women with a history of gestational diabetes also is featured cfpregnancy.staywellsolutionsonline.com/MoreResources/

For several years, CareFirst has been featuring its co-branded version of the NDEP Spanish-language prevention tip sheet, Paso a Paso, at local events such as community and faith-based health fairs.

Joanne Drummond of the CareFirst health communications office said colleagues also promote NDEP resources in webinars for employers on workplace wellness. “What we really love about NDEP said is we can reproduce your material, and we know it’s reliable,” said Drummond.

For additional information, please contact Drummond at 410-998-5612, or joanne.drummond@carefirst.com.

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Registered trademark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®' Registered trademark of CareFirst of Maryland, Inc.

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Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers Adopts NDEP Materials for 2010 National Diabetes Month

In recognition of National Diabetes Month, in November 2010, Carol Mallette, M.A. of the Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers partnered with the New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Consortium, the New Jersey Chronic Disease Advisory Council, and the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services to organize Vital Links, a statewide Chronic Disease Summit. Ann Albright, Ph.D., R.D., Director, Division of Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, served as keynote speaker for the event, which had more than 300 attendees. This event included a table with NDEP materials such as the 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life. Asian-language adaptations, prevention tip sheets for African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos, and materials for youth. A large-scale, retractable banner adapted from NDEP’s More Than 50 Ways to Prevent Diabetes tip sheet was developed to attract visitors to the table. In terms of evaluation, nearly 90 percent of the materials were distributed to people who were – for the most part – unaware of NDEP. Overall, they received positive feedback regarding NDEP’s materials.

In addition, Ms. Mallette coordinated the 10^th Annual Diabetes Day Fair in her state, which had more than 200 attendees. This event included giving 125 flu shots, 28 pneumonia immunizations, 102 screenings, and blood pressure checks. Also, 35 people participated in the healthy cooking demonstration offered by the Atlantic Cape Community College’s School of Culinary Arts.

During this event, she staffed another table with NDEP materials. Also, the Mayor attended this event and issued an official proclamation.

Ms. Mallette also tailored NDEP’s family history article for her organization’s needs. The feature article “What Is Your Family Health History?” included information about preventing diabetes and quotes from local doctors. The article was distributed to local newspapers and was featured in publications such as the Hammonton Gazette. In addition to the article, she ran an ad “You Have the Power to Prevent Diabetes” co-branded with the Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers’ and NDEP’s logos and distributed it to women’s magazines.

Finally, on November 13, 2010, Ms. Mallette coordinated a “Diabetes Talk” at a senior housing complex for approximately 36 attendees. During the presentation, older adults were encouraged to use NDEP’s free resources to manage or prevent diabetes.

To learn more about these activities, contact Carol Mallette at cmallette@SJFMC.org.

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MOMS Orange County Conducts Diabetes Trainings Using NDEP’s Road to Health Toolkit

Program Leadership:

• Martha Londono, M.P.H., Ph.D., Diabetes Coordinator
• Yvette Bojorquez, B.A., R.N., Director of Client Services

Background:

The MOMS Orange County utilized NDEP’s Road to Health Toolkit (RTH) to train maternal child health coordinators and clinicians for its Pregnancy and Diabetes Prevention Program in Orange County, California. Staff was introduced to the RTH curriculum through engaging activities, personal self-assessments and group discussions. In addition, they were encouraged to apply strategies learned to home visits.

MOMS Orange County is a uniquely-qualified, community-based organization that provides access to prenatal care, health screenings, infant development screenings, health education and referral services through monthly home visits and group classes. Its mission is to help mothers and their families have healthy babies by providing health coordination, education and access to community services.

The MOMS Orange County’s model utilizes in-home health coordination and education to raise awareness of diabetes and to promote healthy habits through lifestyle change. Through screenings of pregnant women, those identified as having diabetes or at risk and in need of specialized coordination are automatically enrolled in the program. Each case is reviewed by registered nurse case managers and a diabetes care plan is developed with a focus on nutrition, exercise and maintaining blood glucose. For high-risk cases, a registered dietician supports the case managers. Program participants are encouraged to maintain blood glucose in their target range through proper nutrition and exercise, access appropriate medical care to promote healthy birth outcomes, and breastfeed their baby. The objectives of the program are to:

• Reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes in women who are identified as high risk
• Improve birth and maternal outcomes for women with gestational diabetes and their babies
• Reduce the risk of women developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy
• Lower the infant’s risk of developing diabetes, obesity and serious health problems later in life

Currently, MOMS Orange County is enhancing the program to include access to prenatal and postpartum classes and support groups focused on prevention, self-management and lifestyle change facilitated by a bilingual diabetes coordinator.

Trainer Feedback:

“I really liked the aspect of the training in which we were challenged to think of ways to help our clients incorporate exercise into their daily routine. It is often very hard for a mother to take time away from her children or responsibilities to leave the house for a walk outside. For example, clients often share that they will relax at the end of their busy day for an hour watching novelas (Spanish-language soap operas). We can suggest that perhaps they can do stretching exercises or some activity during commercial breaks. This helped me to think of ways to make fitness and nutrition reasonable and relevant to clients.” –Maria

“The training really reminded me of how crucially important diet and exercise is for the health of everyone—even if you’re not diabetic. I really reflected on this truth, for both myself and clients.” –Monique

“I really took away that even if you are at risk for diabetes, there are a lot of things you CAN do to prevent the onset of diabetes. Just because it is in your genes does not mean you are doomed. It was really helpful to come to that understanding and know that we can help clients to pass on that information not only for themselves but for their families as well.” –Miriam

“The training really emphasized for me that even if you’re not obese or grossly overweight, you can still be at risk for developing diabetes. But you are able to make changes in your activity and eating habits. It was helpful to learn about portion sizes so now I am more conscious of what I eat (more fiber, less sugar). Also, I can share what I’ve learned and how I learned it through the training with clients.” –Martha

For more information, contact Julie Vo at info@momsorangecounty.org or call (714) 972-2610. Visit the MOMS Orange County website at www.momsorangecounty.org.

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The U.S.-Mexico Border DPCP Project Gets Inspired by NDEP’s Road to Health Photo Journal

The U.S.-Mexico Border Diabetes Prevention and Control (DPCP) project strongly believes that community health workers or promotores de salud are an important part of the diabetes health care team. From 2009 to 2010, the project delivered nine strategic diabetes trainings across the border among this group and promotores showed not only their enthusiasm for the trainings, but also, true commitment and loyalty to NDEP products.

These unique trainings integrated the Diabetes Education Modules developed by the International Diabetes Federation and NDEP’s Road to Health Toolkit. On the first day of training, health care professionals and community health workers received the information side by side. Later, they were split up and trained with similar information, but tailored to their specific needs. On the last day of the training, they came together to develop an action plan for their markets or regions.

The trainings were very successful. Evaluation and follow up were outstanding.  Inspired by the toolkit’s Photo Journal, the project developed its own Binational Photo Journal including the history of the U.S.-Mexico Border DPCP project, NDEP, and the community health workers.  As homage to the work of community health workers, the Photo Journal captures promotores’ experiences in the trainings and in the field. The Photo Journal can be found on the Pan American Health Organization’s website at www.paho.org/fep/diabetes.

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Ohio DPCP Tailors NDEP’s November GDM Posters Using Real Employees and Their Children

Background:

The Ohio Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) is participating in a national gestational diabetes project sponsored by the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP), the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors’ (NACDD) Women’s Health Council and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goals of the project are to:

• Foster collaboration between AMCHP and NACDD
• Utilize traditional social marketing techniques to increase public awareness of gestational diabetes and identify the link concerning healthy lifestyles and development of type 2 diabetes

During the 2010 National Diabetes Month, the Ohio DPCP partnered with NDEP to tailor and co-brand the “Family Health History: Gestational Diabetes” poster. An African American and Hispanic/Latina employee of the Ohio DPCP, along with their children, were photographed to reach populations disproportionately affected by diabetes in Ohio. In addition, the Ohio DPCP worked with the Ohio Hispanic Coalition to translate one of the posters into Spanish. Plans are underway to develop and disseminate a similar poster with a Caucasian employee to reach the Appalachian region.

Promotion and Dissemination:

In November 2010, the posters were distributed with the Ohio DPCP’s quarterly newsletter to more than 1,500 diabetes care partners including, hospitals; Federally Qualified Health Centers; local health departments; Women, Infants and Children clinics; endocrinologists; primary care physicians; certified diabetes educators; registered dietitians; and selected OB/GYN practices. Information was also posted on the Healthy Ohio website and Facebook page.

To learn more about this promotion, contact Nancy D. Schaefer at Nancy.Schaefer@odh.ohio.gov or call (614) 728-3775.

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