 | | | | Related Healthscout Videos | |
|
SUNDAY, March 16 (HealthDay News) -- Diabetics taking part in the Diabetes Ten City Challenge showed improvement across all key clinical and satisfaction indicators in the early stages of the program, according to a preliminary report released this week by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).
The challenge is an employer-based diabetes self-management program that was launched in October 2005. The 31 participating employers in 10 cities work with hundreds of pharmacists to help more than 1,000 people manage their diabetes. The program is supported by drug maker GlaxoSmithKline.
Text Continues Below
Through the challenge, employers establish a voluntary health benefit for workers, dependents and retirees with diabetes, and waive co-payments for diabetes medications and supplies if participants work with a pharmacist "coach" to manage their condition in collaboration with their doctors and diabetes educators.
The preliminary report includes an analysis of data on 914 people who took part in the challenge for at least three months as of Sept. 30, 2007. The report found clinical improvements in all recognized standards for diabetes care, including:
- Decreases in laboratory measures (mean) for hemoglobin A1C (a laboratory test showing average blood sugar control over the previous two to three months), LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure over the initial year of the program.
- Increases in the number of participants with current influenza vaccinations, foot examinations and eye examinations.
- A 21 percent increase in the number of participants achieving the American Diabetes Association goal of A1C level of less than 7.0.
- An increase from 43.8 percent to 57.7 percent of participants achieving National Cholesterol Education Program goals for LDL cholesterol.
- A 15.7 percent increase in the number of participants achieving recognized goals for systolic blood pressure.
Page: 1 | 2 | Next >>
-- Robert Preidt
|
.gif)
