Impact Statement

Effectively translate Diabetes scientific findings into community health action programs.

"The evidence is clear and compelling that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle approaches." Michigan Diabetes Strategic Plan

Introduction

Diabetes is often called a "silent" disease because symptoms of the disease usually do not arise until significant damage has already occurred. People can have type 2 diabetes for years and not know it. An estimated 230,000 people in Michigan have type 2 diabetes and are unaware of it. Another 575,000 people have prediabetes and may not know that modest lifestyle changes can prevent the disease.  Thousands of additional Michigan citizens are also at risk for diabetes, because of lifestyle choices, family history or racial-ethnic background.

The most recent scientific evidence demonstrates that much of the morbidity and mortality of diabetes can be delayed or eliminated by aggressive treatment along with meal planning, physical activity, and new medical agents to control blood glucose levels.

For more information on the work of this committee contact Jean Hare at SODON (800) 795-7800

Prioritization of Recommendations

The Michigan Diabetes Strategic Plan has 4 goals under the recommendation to expand diabetes primary prevention activities (Recommendation #1). The Prevention Committee has prioritized them in this order:

1. Increase the number of schools that provide diabetes prevention information and, where appropriate, prediabetes education and support
2. Improve the response of Michigan health care providers in identifying, appropriately treating and referring individuals with prediabetes.
3. Include diabetes prevention and control concepts in the state strategic plan for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, nutrition, school health, obesity and smoking cessation
4. Increase the amount of formal joint funding and number of contractual agreements between the MDPCP and other statewide regional health promotion efforts

Prevention Committee Progress for listed goals

1. Support and endorse efforts of the Michigan Action For Healthy Kids (MAFHK)
   

   a. MAFHK has established a viable strategy and comprehensive program consistent with goals of DPAC Prevention Committee

   b. MAFHK will update Prevention Committee on data available including the behavior change in students and results of assessment survey

2. Participated in the Diabetes Primary Prevention Project focus group

3. Developed a prevention related resource guide

4. Have begun exploring ways to help health care providers to encourage healthy weights

   a. Looking at insurance reimbursement issues for weight counseling visits

   b. Gathering information from current initiatives and guidelines at state and federal level encouraging healthy weights in people.