South Carolina's Strategic Approach to Advancing Health Equity for Priority Populations with or at Risk for Diabetes - The purpose of this initiative is to reduce health disparities and improve health equity by engaging priority populations in the prevention and management of diabetes in South Carolina (SC). This will be achieved by using a culturally responsive approach to implement six strategies under Component A, with a focus on non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults and youth. SC’s application builds and expands upon the accomplishments and outcomes achieved from previously funded CDC grants (901, 1305, 1422, 1815, 1817). The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC’s) Central Office is located at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC, 29201. DHEC and the Division of Diabetes and Heart Disease Management (DDHDM) have a statewide presence, history and experience implementing federal grants which demonstrates our capacity to serve all South Carolinians. In addition, one of DHEC’s non-negotiable core values is advancing equity in the state as demonstrated by the creation of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. DDHDM used a data driven approach to focus efforts on priority populations. This application supports investments in implementing and evaluating evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage chronic disease that address obesity, prediabetes, and diabetes in 22 high priority counties to reach non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino adults and youth. Additionally, internal and external partners will assist with reaching priority populations throughout the state. This proposal addresses social determinants of health (SDOH) and its impact on diabetes disparities. Over 20% of the budget has been allocated to address SDOH. The objectives and activities outlined in the work plan, build upon long-standing efforts, resources, and partnerships to meet outcomes of the selected strategies. Through this funding opportunity, SC will intentionally build synergy between strategies and partners to yield improved health outcomes for people with or at risk for obesity, prediabetes, and diabetes. During the period of performance, some of the expected outcomes for the chosen strategies include increasing: 1) adaptation/tailoring of NDPPs/MDPPs, family-centered childhood obesity programs, and innovative reimbursement models to reach and retain the priority populations; 2) the number of organizations implementing family-centered childhood obesity interventions; 3) the number of patients/participants screened and referred to community resources to address SDOH/social needs; 4) the number of NDPP/MDPP programs embedded in a multi-directional e-referral system; 5) knowledge/skills and inclusivity of CHWs in clinical settings to address diabetes prevention and management services; 6) the number of referrals to NDPPs/MDPPs; 7) the number and type of staff trained on the relationship between SDOH and diabetes; 8) the proportion of the priority population enrolled and retained in NDPPs/MDPPs and family-centered childhood obesity interventions; 9) the proportion of the priority population accessing needed SDOH resources; 10) the proportion of the priority population referred and enrolled in NDPPs/MDPPs; 11) the proportion of the priority population with diabetes participating in DSMES or other diabetes support programs/services; 12) patient/participant contact with CHWs; and 13) the number of implemented policies/protocols to screen and refer people to SDOH resources. Where possible, the DDHDM will leverage partnerships to maximize reach of program implementation and data collection. The DDHDM’s approach provides the necessary program management, coordination, and evaluation to effectively and efficiently implement diabetes prevention and management efforts.
