Utah diabetes prevention and control program

 

On July 1, 2010, the Utah Health Plan Partnership (HPP) was highlighted as an exemplary public health intervention at the House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health during a hearing entitled “The Battle Against Diabetes:  Progress Made, Challenges Unmet.”  The hearing examined advances in research into type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, as well as other related public health efforts.  It explored our current understanding of the causes and consequences of diabetes, as well as evidence-based prevention and management strategies.

Our Mission:

To improve healthcare performance and measures by sending unified, focused, and consistent information to providers and communities

Our Partners:

AltiusHealth InsightMolinaRegence Blue Cross/Blue ShieldSelect-HealthPEHPUniversity of Utah Health Plan: Healthy UMedicaidHeart Disease and Stroke Program

Our Vision:

The Utah Health Plan Partnership (founded in 1998) will establish a healthier Utah by consistently providing reliable information and tools that help Utah citizens reach the common goal of improved overall health

Our Identity:

  • A managed care cooperative for improvement of diabetes care
  • A non-incorporated, voluntary entity with no dues or assessments for membership
  • Open to all health plans having an interest in improving diabetes care and willing to work on the goals and objectives established by the HPP

Our Background:

In 2007, the Partnership voted to expand its collaboration with the Utah Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (HDSP) Program. Though concerns of loosing the diabetes focus arose, they quickly diminished. HDSP interventions, as decided by the Partnership, will focus on areas that effect both HDSP and diabetes, such as hypertension and lipid screening.

Current Focus / Activities:

Heart health with diabetes (primarily blood pressure and cholesterol).

The Partnership sent an informational letter to primary care clinics throughout Utah explaining the importance of maintaining blood pressure and cholesterol targets. We included with the letters a template that the clinics can use to inform their patients with diabetes that they need to have their (A) A1C, (B) blood pressure and (C) cholesterol tested. In addition to these two items, the template can be used to remind patients of other medical screenings important for people with diabetes.

To help with the heart healthy focus, the HPP designed a magnetic card called The ABCs of Diabetes based on National Diabetes Education Program materials. This card describes the ABCs of Diabetes (A1C, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol), questions to ask during a medical exam, and other screenings for people with diabetes.

It will be sent out to plan members with diabetes who can write down their test results (using a dry-erase marker) and compare them to national targets. A follow up member survey will be sent out toward the end of the year to evaluate the usefulness of the card.

HPP Materials:

Contact:

Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
Phone: (801) 538-6141
Fax: (801) 538-9495
E-mail: diabetes@utah.gov