Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, Screening, and Intervention Program

The Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, Screening, and Intervention Program is indented for individuals who are at risk of developing, or have been diagnosed with the diabetes. This program's goals include: (1) to increase early identification of those at high-risk for developing diabetes and to provide prevention support, (2) to increase early diagnosis of those with diabetes and to provide disease management support, and (3) to educate providers to promote quality diabetes care in the community.

The program offers community members screenings (American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Risk Test), outreach, and Primary Diabetes Prevention workshops promoting healthy eating and increased physical activity. Individuals with diabetes are offered a five-week intervention, Living with Diabetes, designed to help them understand their condition, and a six-week intervention, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, designed to build problem solving and decision-making skills. Providers are offered education and updates from the California Diabetes Program website.

The program is offered by four members of the Los Angeles Chronic Disease Management Consortium: California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC), Good Samaritan Hospital, Huntington Hospital, and the National Health Foundation, who serves as the evaluator. It is funded through a grant from the Good Hope Medical Foundation.

The program's goal is to provide screening, education, and support services for patients at high risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and for those already diagnosed with the disease.

Between October 2005 and August 2008, 5,418 individuals completed the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Risk Test screening, and 2,095 high-risk individuals accepted a referral for further evaluation. Of the 852 individuals who participated in Primary Diabetes Prevention workshops, 27% lost weight from the beginning until 3-6 mo. follow/up, 46% improved their knowledge about healthy eating, and 21% improved their knowledge about physical activity.

Of the 106 individuals who participated in the Living with Diabetes intervention, 35% lost weight during the 5-week interval, 14% lost more than 5% of their body weight by the 3-6 month follow-up, 12% decreased their HgbA1c below seven, 42% increased their emotional wellbeing, and 65% improved their confidence in being able to manage their diabetes. Living with Diabetes also had positive impacts on hospital utilization rates. Program participants experienced an 87.2% decrease in hospitalizations and an 87.5% decrease in ER visits for glucose control during the six months following the program, as compared to the six months prior to program participation.