Special Projects

Virginia Diabetes Control Project

The Virginia Diabetes Control Project (DCP) is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and administered by the Virginia Department of Health. The mission of the Virginia DCP is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes and its complications in Virginia. Its activities include improved diabetes surveillance, the development of innovative approaches at the local level to reducing the burden of diabetes, and the development of statewide approaches to coordinating efforts aimed at reducing the diabetes burden. From 1995 through 1999, the Center had major responsibilities in the project for assisting in the provision of professional diabetes education programs and in the development and education of community-based diabetes coalitions. There are presently two community-based diabetes coalitions, one focusing on the Eastern Shore Health District, the other on the LENOWISCO Health District.

Virginia Diabetes State Plan

In addition to the community coalitions, one of the major accomplishments of the DCP has been the creation of a statewide diabetes report, "Diabetes in Virginia: A State Plan." The state plan is the work of the Virginia Diabetes Task Force (VDTF), a diverse and inclusive group of diabetes stakeholders from all regions of the state. The state plan details the burden of diabetes in Virginia and identifies priorities for action in four major areas: surveillance, reimbursement, education, and access to care. Copies of the plan and the executive summary, "Diabetes in Virginia: Can We Afford not to Care", are available from Theresa Teekah, DCP Coordinator, at the Virginia Department of Health.

Virginia Diabetes Council

The Virginia Diabetes Council is a new group which is being organized to find ways and means of implementing the priorities for action identified in Virginia's diabetes state plan. A steering committee is presently working on developing an organizational structure for the council, ascertaining sources of financial support for the group, and recommending membership. The council seeks a diverse and broadly representative membership from among diabetes stakeholders in Virginia, including consumer representatives. Inquiries and suggestions should be directed to Terry Saunders, Ph.D., who is chairing the steering committee.

Appalachian Diabetes Coalition Project

The Appalachian Diabetes Coalition is a regional project centered in the Prevention Research Center (PRC) at West Virginia University. It is funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and began in October, 1996. Kenneth J. Simon, EdD, Director of the PRC, serves as Principal Investigator of the project and Barbara S. Fierst, RN, MA, CDE serves as Program Manager. The Coalition is composed of representatives from the thirteen states which contain the 399 designated Appalachian counties. The Coalition is charged with:

  • defining the burden of diabetes in the Appalachian counties as compared to the non-Appalachian counties;
  • demonstrating gaps in services to people with diabetes in Appalachia; and
  • defining a culturally relevant approach to the problem of diabetes in Appalachia.

Diabetes Management Project in Ghana

A project involving the two medical schools in Ghana, West Africa, and the Virginia Center for Diabetes Professional Education (VCDPE) was implemented in May 1995. The purpose of the project was to improve the quality and quantity of diabetes care in Ghana through a program of professional education. Two teams, consisting of a physician, nurse, and a dietitian from each of the Ghanaian medical schools, spent three months with VCDPE faculty to learn more about diabetes, to develop a plan for educating other health care providers, to develop a professional education curriculum for use in teaching health care providers, to develop a patient education booklet for use in teaching Ghanaians about diabetes, and to develop standards of care for implementation in the country's hospitals. The following documents were developed: Living Well With Diabetes, a Diabetes Care and Education Curriculum, and Recommendations for Diabetes Care at Hospitals in Ghana. Implementation of the education plan in Ghana began in spring 1996 and continues today.