WED-022 - Partnering to Improve Health Disparities and Outcomes to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Brief Abstract Summary: Discover how ENC Prevent Diabetes, part of a statewide initiative funded by the NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NC OMHHD), aims to prevent type 2 diabetes and decrease health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations in Eastern North Carolina. NC OMHHD and ENC Prevent Diabetes provides a no-cost, evidence-based diabetes prevention program that includes screenings and enrollment in the year-long NC Minority Diabetes Prevention Program. Participants receive ongoing support from Lifestyle Coaches and are given incentives to support healthy behaviors. Since 2016, ENC Prevent Diabetes has screened over 17,000 individuals and enrolled more than 1,000 participants, demonstrating measurable reductions in diabetes risk and promoting health equity across the region.

Detailed abstract description: In 2016, the North Carolina General Assembly allocated funding to the NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (OMHHD) within the NC Division of Public Health. This agreement aims to support a statewide collaborative to provide an evidence-based diabetes prevention program with a focus on reducing health disparities among minority populations. The collaboration is divided into regions across North Carolina. Region 10 comprises ten Eastern North Carolina counties, marketed as ENC Prevent Diabetes.
ENC Prevent Diabetes promotes awareness of prediabetes and prevention of type 2 diabetes in communities of ethnic and racial minorities through the facilitation of the North Carolina Minority Diabetes Prevention Program (NC MDPP). Early screening is imperative for preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes. ENC Prevent Diabetes conducts screening events and utilizes the American Diabetes Association Prediabetes Risk Test and hemoglobin A1c testing. Those with a positive Prediabetes Risk Test or A1c found to be in the prediabetes range are encouraged to enroll in NC MDPP. This year-long Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evidence-based program is designed to help participants reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58%. Individuals found to be with an A1c within the diabetes range are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider for further diagnostic testing. Furthermore, they are encouraged to request a referral for a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support program.
According to the American Diabetes Association, the national average cost of type 2 diabetes per person is $10,000 annually. One of NC OMHHD’s priorities is to mobilize and engage partners to implement approaches that reduce health gaps and address the social and economic conditions that influence health. To offset potential impacts of the income disparities amongst races, NC OMHHD funds the only no-cost to client Diabetes Prevention Program in the state of North Carolina. This removes financial barriers and ensures equitable access to preventative care. This agreement strategically includes pre-determined participant incentives that each site within the region distributes to participants throughout the program. Additionally, flexible funding is allocated to each site to allow for collaboration between coaches and participants. Through this, participants identify possible supplemental incentives that promote their healthy eating and exercise goals.
Since 2016, 17,092 individuals were screened for prediabetes by ENC Prevent Diabetes and enrolled more than 1,000 participants. Biannual CDC evaluations of participant data confirm that ENC Prevent Diabetes's work has led to a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes for those enrolled.
ENC Prevent Diabetes reduces health disparities, eliminates barriers, and promotes health equity to meet the needs of the region to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes in Eastern North Carolina.