New data-based strategies and treatment models can improve diabetes care for older African-Americans

Better data are needed to evaluate access to care by minority groups at increased risk for diabetes, such as older African Americans, and to assess the benefits of new community-based treatment strategies, including greater use of health information technology and access to multilevel diabetes education teams, according to a report in Population Health Management.

Older adults of racial or ethnic minority descent tend to have a higher incidence of diabetes than whites, and these populations often have less access to quality health care. Karen Fitzner, PhD, American Association of Diabetes Educators (Chicago, IL), David Dietz, MSW, MHSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Rockville, MD), and Ernest Moy, MD, MPH, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (Rockville, MD) identify the gaps in care for underserved older adults and describe how better use of health information technology and multilevel diabetes education teams can help fill those gaps and improve health outcomes for older African Americans with diabetes.

The authors focus on treatment models that incorporate advances in information technology such as telehealth and geo-mapping for improved data sharing, Diabetes Self-Management Education and Training (DSME/T) programs, national collaboratives, and a multilevel diabetes education team approach that relies on less-skilled team members such as community health workers, supervised and supported by a multidisciplinary team of professional health care providers to facilitate community-based diabetes care, education, and prevention.

"We are thrilled to continue to publish critically important papers such as this one," says Journal Editor-in-Chief David B. Nash, MD, MBA, Dean, Jefferson School of Population Health (Philadelphia, PA).

Population Health Management is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly in print and online that reflects the expanding scope of health care management and quality. The Journal delivers a comprehensive, integrated approach to the field of population health and provides information designed to improve the systems and policies that affect health care quality, access, and outcomes, thereby improving the health of an entire population. Comprised of peer-reviewed original research papers, clinical research and case studies, the content includes a broad range of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, depression, and obesity, as well as focusing on various aspects of prevention and wellness. Tables of contents and a free sample issue may be viewed online.

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