GENESEE COUNTY, MI (June 26, 2014) – The Greater Flint Health Coalition has received a $40,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint’s Arthur L. Tuuri Health Fund to support its Community Diabetes Registry Project. The Project aims to reduce diabetes morbidity and improve the quality of life for diabetic patients in Flint and Genesee County through the use of a community diabetes registry that will increase opportunities for patient diabetes education in the physician office setting. In Flint and Genesee County, multiple physician practices will utilize the registry to aid patients with diabetes education and disease self-management.
More than half of the individuals diagnosed with Type II diabetes are not able to control their blood sugar (hemoglobin A1c) levels. The higher an individual’s blood sugar levels, the higher their risk for complications from the disease. Diabetes education is important for teaching patients how to manage their disease but many patients do not get the education they need due to health insurance restrictions, out-of-pocket costs, or transportation barriers.
The Community Diabetes Registry Project will promote continuous diabetic patient education services in the primary care setting where the vast majority of diabetic individuals seek treatment. With increased education about diabetes management, the likelihood of improved diabetes control will increase. Research has demonstrated that this approach leads to increases in patients’ understanding of their diabetes and confidence in knowing how to manage this growing chronic disease.
Community residents and healthcare providers interested in additional information about the Community Diabetes Registry Project may contact the Greater Flint Health Coalition by email at gfhc@flint.org.