A diverse group of Kentucky legislators with successful experience in collaborative action for diabetes change has formed the Kentucky Diabetes Caucus to get better success toward stemming the diabetes epidemic. The group will depend on the advice of health professionals and experts here in the Bluegrass, who have given generously of their knowledge and counsel time and again. Corporate partners a
nd partnerships will be engaged along with colleagues whose focus is on related chronic health issues. Background
Over the last ten years as Kentucky legislators have worked through a small "diabetes caucus" or "working group" on diabetes, lawmakers around the nation have followed the lead of Kentucky. The simple concept is for legislators to become better informed with accurate, compelling information, realizing the high cost to patients, families and society borne of diabetes. Having one center point to manage decisions for priorities, resources and impact is critical. Kentucky has benefited from a small cadre of elected leaders whose groundbreaking work has created laws that are now copied around the country. Most notably, the Diabetes Action Plan often called the DAP has become law in 16 other states since Kentucky took action in 2011. The DAP process pulls together the combined interests of public health, Medicaid and public employee health plans toward focused goals, evaluation of programs and future action needed by states and stakeholders. The working group of Kentucky lawmakers -- House and Senate, Democrat and Republican -- also led the effort for licensure of diabetes educators, a major success. Again, other states are copying Kentucky's start, making it possible to add to the ranks of highly prepared diabetes educators who work at the heart of patient guidance and care. More recently Kentucky has achieved success is expanding the DPP, or Diabetes Prevention Program through the public employee health plan. The DPP is proven nationwide as a high return on investment, as persons facing diabetes receive effective direction from well trained professionals about the day to day management of diabetes. Key legislators, the Health Cabinet, the Personnel Cabinet, top leaders, and innovative companies have strongly encouraged DPP as a central element to advance diabetes improvement. For Information: Bob Babbage, [email protected], or call 859-335-5869. For press contact: Doug Alexander, [email protected], 859-313-5385.
