Understanding the Diabetes Impact Project
A diagnosis of diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and even death. The School of Public Health at Indiana University-Indianapolis is nearing completion of a project aimed at improving the health of three neighborhoods. The Diabetes Impact Project focuses on the Northeast, Near Northwest, and Near West neighborhoods in Indianapolis, where diabetes rates are nearly double those in other parts of Marion County.
Community Health Workers at the Forefront
Lisa Staten, an associate professor of community and global health at the university, explained that the project employs a three-tier approach. Community health workers assist individuals with diabetes in managing their diet and glucose levels while addressing their social needs. Staten noted, “The community health workers work with them to understand, is there a food security issue? Are there challenges with housing?”
Building a Healthier Infrastructure
The third tier involves steering committees that fund projects aimed at improving physical activity infrastructure and access to healthy food, addressing mental health concerns, and fostering social connections. According to the Indiana Department of Health, approximately 12% of Hoosiers are diabetic.
A Long-Term Commitment
This $12 million, eight-year program is a collaboration with the Fairbanks School of Public Health, Eli Lilly and Company, Eskenazi Health, and the Marion County Health Department. One of its components is establishing a federally qualified health center in each neighborhood to enhance community involvement.
Staten emphasized the importance of diverse neighborhood input prior to the project’s funding, stating, “We approached community residents and asked what they wanted to see in it. They said they don’t want a one-year project. ‘We don’t want you to come in and take our data and go. It needs to be a long-term commitment.’ And we listened to that and incorporated all that into it.”
Resilience Amid Challenges
Despite the pandemic impacting the project timeline, Staten mentioned that researchers were able to continue their work. The findings will be published in academic journals and shared with the community to demonstrate the project’s impact.
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