Serving Ben Hill, Irwin, Berrien, and Cook Counties Bridget Walters, RN, BSN, CDE

Where are Ben Hill, Irwin, Berrien, and Cook Counties????

History High Rate of Uncontrolled Diabetes Medically Underserved Area High Rate of Obesity and Inactivity High Poverty Rates

Sweet Dreams Collaborative (2003) Original Partners:  Irwin Co. Board of Health (BOH), lead partner  Ben Hill Co. BOH  Dorminy Medical Center  Ben Hill Co. School System  Irwin County Hospital  Irwin Co. School System  South Central Primary Care Center  Irwin Family Medicine  South Health District

Irwin County Health Department

Purpose of Sweet Dreams Project Begin a community disease prevention and education project focused on the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in Ben Hill and Irwin Counties by targeting: 1. Those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 2. Middle school students 3. General public

Services Targeting Type 2 Diabetics Self Management Classes Nutrition Counseling Medication and Testing Supply Assistance Diabetic Cooking Classes Travel Vouchers

Middle School Activities School Health Index

Community Services Health fairs and screenings Public Presentations 10K Walking Event Newspaper Articles Distribution of brochures on prevention

Results Type 2 Diabetics – Improvement in A1C’s from 8.1% to 7.2% – Over 300 Diabetics receiving case management services – Over $21,700 Medication Assistance PGTF Middle School – Taekwondo BMI improvements – $20,000 equipment/education material donated Community – Over 5500 brochures/flyers distributed – 174 participants in 10K Walk

Road Blocks Sustainability Limited number of people reached Data Collection

1.Limit Target Area 2.Expand Service Area 3.Social Marketing

Expansion Current Partners:  Irwin County Board of Health, as the lead partner  Ben Hill County Board of Health  Berrien County Board of Health  Cook County Board of Health  Dorminy Medical Center  Irwin County Hospital  Memorial Hospital of Adel  Berrien County Hospital  Irwin Family Medicine  Nashville Eye Center  Berrien County Collaborative  Cook Family Connections  Adel Family Medicine  Adel Recreation Department  South Health District

The Goals Reduce the number of hospitalizations resulting from diabetes or diabetic complications by 10%. Increase community awareness of the importance of preventing and early detection of type 2 diabetes in Ben Hill, Berrien, Cook, and Irwin Counties.

Target Population Low income, uninsured adults who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes General public for prevention teaching An emphasis is placed on high risk groups including African Americans and Hispanics.

Services Self Management Education Classes Individual and Group Nutritional Counseling Community Education Presentations Medication Assistance Peer Education

Living well with diabetes means Sweet Dreams Bridget Walters, RN, BSN, CDE Sweet Dreams Project Director