Community Crisis: Diabetes Education Program Closures

1
Community Crisis Diabetes Education Program
Closures

• Betty Brackenridge, MS, RD, CDE
• Past President, American Association of Diabetes
  Educators
• Director of Professional Training, Diabetes
  Management Training Centers, Inc.

2
We Have Lost Essential Capacity in the Midst of
the Diabetes Epidemic

• Five diabetes education centers in metro Phoenix
  have been closed in recent months
• John C. Lincoln North Mountain
• John C. Lincoln Deer Valley
• Banner Desert, Banner Good Samaritan
• Banner Thunderbird
• They provided comprehensive self-management
  education, meeting national standards.
• Together, they served 3000 people with
  diabetes/year.

3
Why Should We Be Worried?

• Because we were already below capacity to meet
  the growing demand before this happened.
• Using US Census data and NHANES estimates of
  diabetes incidence, we can project a net growth
  of diabetes cases in Arizona of at least 26,800
  cases per year (28,000 new cases minus 1200
  diabetes related deaths).
• We cant afford to lose any more capacity

4
What Diabetes Means to Arizona

• At least 300,000 Arizonans have it now. (This is
  only 5. Actual US figure is 6.3)
• The number is expected to more than double in the
  next decade.
• The current cost is at least 2.3 Billion
  annually.
• Inadequate care WILL lead to
• Increased costs due to caring for poor outcomes
• Escalating epidemic as preventive services
  dwindle

5
So We Must

• Recognize the difference between education and
  information between clinical care and public
  health measures.

6
We Must Also

• Understand and correct any fixable problems that
  contributed to these closures.

7
Actions

• American Diabetes Association
• Plans to survey its recognized programs to
  establish the extent of the problem and identify
  issues
• American Association of Diabetes Educators
• Has already established that this is a nationwide
  issue
• Ha appointed a Task Force to recommend training
  and resources needed by educators
• In Arizona
• CAADE attempted to bring this to the attention of
  media in June and July without success.
• What can and will AZDIN partner do?

8
And

• Take a fresh look at diabetes and diabetes
  education on the changed playing field

9
The Solution Seems Clear

• Build capacity to deliver high quality and
  financially viable diabetes education services to
  ALL affected populations and individuals around
  the state.

But The Means Are Not