Program Activities
The goals and mission of the North Dakota Diabetes Prevention & Control Program (NDDPCP) evolve to meet the challenges of diabetes. If the current trend continues, one in three adult Americans are projected to have diabetes by 2050. The program is focusing more on prevention than it has in the past to help North Dakotans avoid what could become an epidemic. Some activities the program includes are:
Public awareness on preventing diabetes and complications: NDDPCP collaborates with state partners to develop and deliver educational campaigns on diabetes. Media programs are scheduled for November during National Diabetes Month, in March to emphasize Diabetes Alert Day and to coincide with other national diabetes care initiatives. The program also maintains the DDC/NDDPCP website to include relevant information about diabetes.
Professional education programs: Professional education programs for health-care providers are conducted through state conferences, conventions and satellite distance learning seminars.
Reimbursement advocacy: The NDDPCP participates in efforts to increase reimbursement coverage for diabetes education, medical nutrition therapy, drugs, supplies and other preventive-care services.
Population served: The NDDPCP targets all populations, but places special emphasis on efforts serving high-risk minority, elderly and disadvantaged people.
Data collection, analysis and distribution: The North Dakota Diabetes Prevention & Control Program utilizes surveillance systems to track diabetes health behaviors, care practices and health outcomes. Surveillance resources include behavioral surveys, hospitalization information and vital records data. The DPCP collects and analyzes data to measure diabetes incidence, prevalence and impact, and evaluate program effectiveness.
Diabetes care provider report: In partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND), diabetes care is tracked through patient insurance claims. The DPCP funds a disease management coordinator at BCBS to manage the project and share information with care providers.
Quality improvement guidelines: The NDDPCP collaborates with health-care providers to develop and implement diabetes care quality improvements. The NDDPCP assists clinics in establishing care tracking systems to monitor health practices and outcomes.
Community-based interventions: NDDPCP participates in educational campaigns developed to empower people with diabetes to seek self-care education and treatment. Efforts are made to identify barriers to care and establish culturally-accepted education and support systems. Collaboration opportunities with regional community coalitions, diabetes care centers and support systems involved in improving diabetes care are sought.
Improved access to care and education: NDDPCP promotes educational programs on diabetes and care standards, nutrition and physical activity, obesity and other topics pertinent to diabetes prevention and care.
