Addressing Diabetes Through Outreach
Diabetes affects more than 30 million people in the United States. More than fourteen percent (14.3%) of patients served by Health Resources and Services Administration-funded health centers have diagnosed diabetes. Diabetes is manageable through physical activity, diet, and appropriate use of insulin and oral medications to lower blood sugar (glucose) levels. Outreach can play a critical role in facilitating patient access to health care and social services that support pre-diabetic and diabetic patients, and their families, in understanding and managing their chronic illness.
Health Outreach Partners’ Innovative Outreach Practices (IOPs) are short case studies that showcase effective, field-tested strategies for improving access to care. Drawn from organizations throughout the country, IOPs provide an opportunity for peer learning across potential and existing health centers.
Addressing Diabetes Through Outreach: Innovative Outreach Practices from the Field features eight HRSA-funded health centers that are using innovative outreach-focused activities to provide diabetes prevention and management care services. The resource is now available for download free of charge from HOP’s webpage.