A Strategic Approach to Advancing Health Equity for Priority Populations with or at Risk for Diabetes - Purpose: Through Health Research, Inc., located at 150 Broadway, Suite 280, Menands, NY 12204, the New York State (NYS) Department of Health (DOH) requests funding to implement and evaluate a strategic approach of evidence-based strategies to advance health equity for priority populations with or at-risk for diabetes in NYS. The COVID-19 pandemic devastated many vulnerable populations in NYS with a particularly detrimental impact to those experiencing historical racism and health disparities. With a long history of diabetes leadership and a focus on rebuilding, renewing, and reimagining public health in NYS, DOH is well positioned to lead this Component A initiative. Through new and expanded partnerships, collaborations, and innovations, DOH will reduce health disparities by engaging priority populations including Black and Hispanic adults, lower-income adults, people with a mental illness, people with disability, people living in underserved rural areas, and older NYers. This work will strengthen access, appropriateness, and feasibility of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services (A.1), increase enrollment and retention in the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) lifestyle intervention (A.5), prevent diabetes complications through early detection of retinopathy and chronic kidney disease (A.3), strengthen Medicaid and employer health benefit coverage for the National DPP lifestyle intervention (A.6), establish National DPP Umbrella Hub Arrangements (A.7), and increase and sustain DSMES and National DPP within pharmacy networks (A.9). DOH will serve all populations in NYS through a coordinated network of experts with experience in community health care, reaching priority populations, delivering enhanced community pharmacy services, assessing social care needs, referrals, building population health supports, and developing diabetes population health data innovation. Together, this framework will drive DOH’s strategic approach to advance diabetes health equity. At least 10% of total funding requested will address system/population level needs related to social determinants of health and reduce health disparities. Outcomes: DOH will make measurable improvements in the following Component A outcomes: access to health systems and tailored evidence-based programs that support diabetes prevention and management (by Y2); participation in evidence-based programs and self-management behaviors (by Y4); and health outcomes (by Y5) for identified priority populations. Across evidence-based approaches to diabetes management, prevention, and systems/population-level needs related to social determinants of health, achievement of these outcomes will help close gaps in health disparities fueled by structural racism and social determinants of health. DOH has selected to track additional outcomes that align with CDC outcomes, where state-specific data systems are available.
