Project Description Narrative:
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is a serious and growing public health problem, affecting 8.3% of the U.S. population, or approximately 25.8 million people, in 2011. That number is only expected to grow. By 2050, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes is projected to increase from 18.8 to 29 million.
Locally, in Waukesha County, 19,430 adults live with a diagnosis of diabetes and another 99,230 are estimated to have pre-diabetes according to the State of Wisconsin's 2011 Burden of Diabetes. Diabetes is not only a serious health threat, but also a financial burden. In 2009, Waukesha County residents with diabetes paid $228 million in direct costs and an additional $114 million in indirect costs for medical care, with a significant impact on those living below the federal poverty level. In the city of Waukesha alone, 2010 U.S. Census data indicate that approximately 7,000 people live on a household income below the federal poverty level. It is estimated by government and health care leaders that there are 800 city residents with diabetes who have health care access issue due to their low socio-economic status and/or lack of health insurance.
The goal of this project is to develop an integrated model between community hunger relief resources and health care systems to ensure consistent quality care for uninsured or underinsured people with diabetes in Waukesha County.
Community partners: Food Pantry of Waukesha County, Lake Area Free Clinic, Medical Eye Associates, S.C., Mount Mary University, National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin, NuGenesis Farms, Oconomowoc Lions Club, St. Joseph's Medical Clinic, Inc., The Salvation Army of Waukesha, UW Extension Waukesha County, Waukesha Community Health Center, Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic, Waukesha Family Practice Clinic
Additional MCW academic partners: Marie Wolff, PhD, Family and Community Medicine; Melissa DeNomie, MS, Family and Community Medicine