Year of Publication
2017
College
Public Health
Date Available
4-26-2017
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Committee Chair
Robin Vanderpool, DrPH, CHES
Committee Member
Kathryn Cardarelli, PhD
Committee Member
Mark Swanson, PhD
Abstract
The National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) is a primary prevention program endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program’s purpose is to promote dietary modification and physical activity to reduce the incidence of diabetes. NDPP is currently offered by national organizations such as the Young Men’s Christian Association and Weight Watchers. However, NDPP is not commonly available in geographic areas that are in the most need of such preventive health programming such as rural communities. One such area where NDPP is not widely offered is the Diabetes Belt, an area within the Appalachian region of the United States where adults have a greater likelihood of developing diabetes. Specifically, residents of Breathitt County, Kentucky experience higher than normal diabetes rates and present with elevated risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, and socioeconomic disparities that influence the development of diabetes. Generally, primary care providers are responsible for chronic disease management and prevention, but rural physicians may be burdened with complex patient cases so their ability to provide preventive care is often minimized. Breathitt County has a prevention need that alternative health care providers such as pharmacists can help fill. Pharmacists are widespread throughout the county and have clinical knowledge, expertise, and community trust necessary to effectively implement NDPP, thereby increasing access to diabetes prevention programming in Breathitt County. In the current proposal, the Breathitt County Health Department is guided by a Community Advisory Board in its implementation of NDPP in nine pharmacies over a three-year period. At each Urvi Patel 4 pharmacy we will enroll 10 participants who will receive year-long educational programming in accordance to the CDC endorsed Prevent T2 curriculum. We plan to assess diabetes management and weight loss outcomes and maintain program sustainability by implementing a strong professional and social referral system along with an adequate reimbursement model.
Recommended Citation
Patel, Urvi, "A Diabetes-Free Breathitt County: Implementation of the National Diabetes Prevention Program in Pharmacies" (2017). Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.). 142.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cph_etds/142
