Community Diabetes Screenings

Problem:

Of the estimated 20.8 million children and adults with diabetes in the country, about 6.2 million are undiagnosed.

Without effective diagnosis and treatment, diabetes becomes a leading cause of:

• Blindness
• Kidney failure
• Heart disease
• Stroke

Diabetes and other chronic diseases can be prevented or managed by:

• Reducing or eliminating risk factors
• Early diagnosis
• Appropriate education and treatment

Disparities exist in diabetes prevalence and its associated complications in the United States among racial and ethnic groups, especially African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Asian Americans.

To help connect people with resources and information, the Southern Nevada Health District and members of the Clark County Diabetes Group facilitate two diabetes screenings per year at local supermarkets in areas of town with high percentages of minority residents. Individuals at high risk are eligible to receive a free blood glucose screening and all individuals are eligible for educational resources and low-cost blood work.

Volunteers from several community agencies provide bilingual staff and culturally and linguistically appropriate educational resources including:

• Diabetes risk self-tests
• Diabetes resource directories
• Cookbooks
• Other educational brochures

To date, five screenings have been completed: October 2004, March and November 2005, March and October 2006. Another screening is scheduled for March 2007. More than 500 people have been screened and have received recommendations for follow up care. Certified bi-lingual diabetes educators discuss screening results with all participants and councel them that their results are not a diagnosis.

All participants are encouraged to seek or continue medical care and several on-site follow-up options are available including scheduling an appointment with Nevada Health Centers or signing up for support groups provided by the Nevada Alliance Against Diabetes.

Diabetes Resource directories in English and Spanish are also provided to all participants to schedule follow-up care not provided on-site, if needed. PDF (390 KB/20 pages)

Goals and Objectives

Project Goal:

To provide free diabetes screening and access to diabetes care for Clark County residents in under served areas, with an emphasis on reaching Hispanic and African American communities.

This goal supports the Healthy People 2010 Goal, “to increase the proportion of adults and children with diabetes whose condition has been diagnosed."

Project Objectives for FY 2006-2007:

1. Conduct two screenings in fiscal year 2006-2007 at local supermarkets.
2. Screen at least 100 individuals at each screening, with pen and paper diabetes risk factor assessment.
3. Provide glucose testing for those who have risk factors on the diabetes risk factor self-test.
4. Provide waist measurements and blood pressure screenings to participants.
5. Set up appointments onsite with Nevada Health Center clinics for those who do not have their own doctors or who need follow-up care.

Funding for educational materials and advertising provided by subgrant funds from the Nevada State Health Division’s Diabetes Control Program, CDC funds U32/CCU922683-04.

For additional information about diabetes screenings, please email: earney@snhdmail.org.