The West Virginia Diabetes Prevention and Control Program   

Diabetes is a significant public health challenge in West Virginia, where the state faces one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in the nation. The West Virginia Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (WVDPCP), managed by the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, is a dedicated initiative aimed at reducing the burden of this chronic condition. Through public education, evidence-based prevention programs, and support for diabetes management, the WVDPCP seeks to improve health outcomes and quality of life for West Virginians. This article provides a detailed overview of the program’s goals, strategies, key initiatives, achievements, and resources available to residents.

What is the West Virginia Diabetes Prevention and Control Program?

The WVDPCP is a state-led effort to address the alarming rise of diabetes in West Virginia, where about 18.2% of adults have diagnosed diabetes, according to America’s Health Rankings. Additionally, approximately 25% of the population—around 466,000 people—have prediabetes, placing them at high risk for type 2 diabetes. Funded partly by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the program collaborates with community organizations, healthcare providers, and academic partners like the West Virginia University (WVU) Office of Health Services Research to promote diabetes prevention and effective management.

The program’s mission is to lower diabetes incidence, enhance care for those affected, and prevent complications through targeted interventions. It focuses on raising awareness, expanding access to prevention programs, and empowering individuals with tools for self-management. For more information, visit the DHHR Diabetes Resources.

Key Objectives of the WVDPCP

  • Educate the public about diabetes risk factors and prevention strategies.
  • Increase access to diabetes prevention programs, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
  • Train healthcare professionals to improve diabetes diagnosis and management.
  • Support patients through self-management education and community resources.

How Does the WVDPCP Work?

The WVDPCP adopts a comprehensive approach to combat diabetes, emphasizing prevention, early detection, and ongoing management. It partners with organizations like the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) to deliver evidence-based interventions. The program also uses data-driven tools, such as electronic health record (EHR) analysis, to identify at-risk individuals and connect them with appropriate care, as outlined in a study on diabetes risk detection.

Core Strategies

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating residents about diabetes symptoms, risk factors, and prevention to encourage early screening.
  2. Community-Based Interventions: Implementing lifestyle change programs to reduce type 2 diabetes risk through healthy eating and physical activity.
  3. Healthcare Partnerships: Enhancing provider training and data integration to improve screening and referrals.
  4. Self-Management Education: Offering programs to help patients manage blood sugar and prevent complications.

Key Initiatives and Programs

The WVDPCP supports several initiatives to address diabetes and prediabetes across West Virginia’s predominantly rural population, where healthcare access can be challenging.

National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP)

The WVDPCP collaborates with the CDC’s National DPP to offer the PreventT2 lifestyle change program, a year-long course promoting modest weight loss (5-7% of body weight), healthy nutrition, and 150 minutes of weekly physical activity. This program, available through partners like Active Southern West Virginia, has reduced type 2 diabetes risk by 58% (71% for those over 60), with participants achieving an average weight loss of 13.6 pounds, as noted in diabetes prevention research.

West Virginia Health Connection

This initiative links primary care providers with community programs using EHR data to identify and refer at-risk individuals to prevention services. A study by WVDPCP and WVU found that 11.3% of 94,283 patients without a diabetes diagnosis met risk criteria, highlighting the program’s role in early intervention.

Community-Based Screening

In partnership with the West Virginia University Extension Service (WVUES), the WVDPCP conducts screenings in rural communities using tools like the CDC’s 7-item diabetes risk survey and A1c tests. These efforts, detailed in a screening study, connect high-risk individuals to programs like Dining with Diabetes, leveraging extension agents’ community ties for sustainable outreach.

Dining with Diabetes

This program provides education on nutrition, meal planning, and diabetes management, tailored for rural residents. It teaches practical skills to control blood sugar and reduce complications, making it a cornerstone of the WVDPCP’s community efforts.

Achievements and Impact

The WVDPCP has made notable progress in addressing West Virginia’s diabetes crisis:

  • Heightened Awareness: Public campaigns have increased early detection by educating residents about prediabetes risks.
  • Expanded Program Access: Partnerships have brought prevention programs to more communities, though some areas still lack coverage.
  • Improved Health Outcomes: National DPP participants have reduced obesity rates from 80.3% to 68.4% in some groups, lowering diabetes risk.
  • Provider Training: Enhanced skills among healthcare professionals have improved patient care and management.

In 2023, Senator Joe Manchin secured $1.9 million in CDC funding to advance the WVDPCP’s work, supporting health equity for at-risk populations, as announced on his Senate website.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its achievements, the WVDPCP faces challenges in West Virginia’s rural landscape:

  • Limited Access: Many counties with high diabetes prevalence lack National DPP sites within a 30-minute drive, as shown in CDC coverage maps.
  • Undiagnosed Cases: An estimated 3-4% of residents have undiagnosed diabetes, and 25% have prediabetes, necessitating broader screening efforts.
  • Rural Barriers: Transportation issues, poverty, and limited healthcare infrastructure hinder access to care.

To address these, the WVDPCP is expanding community-based screenings and leveraging initiatives like the West Virginia Health Connection. A 2020 legislative effort, codified in West Virginia Code §16-1-21, mandated a Diabetes Action Plan to coordinate statewide efforts.

How to Get Involved

West Virginians can participate in the WVDPCP through various avenues:

  • Assess Your Risk: Take the CDC Prediabetes Risk Test and consult a healthcare provider if at risk.
  • Enroll in Programs: Join a National DPP course through providers like Active Southern West Virginia or WVU Extension Service (contact 304-597-3774).
  • Access Support: Explore local classes and resources via the DHHR Resource Directory.
  • For Providers: Collaborate with the WVDPCP to integrate screening and referral systems, as part of the West Virginia Health Connection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. What is the West Virginia Diabetes Prevention and Control Program?
    The WVDPCP is a state initiative to reduce diabetes prevalence and improve health outcomes through education, prevention, and self-management support.
  2. Who is eligible for WVDPCP programs?
    Adults at risk for or diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, especially those with obesity, family history, or other risk factors, can participate.
  3. What is the National DPP?
    A CDC-led program offered by the WVDPCP, focusing on weight loss, healthy eating, and physical activity to prevent type 2 diabetes.
  4. How can I find a diabetes prevention program in West Virginia?
    Contact providers like Active Southern West Virginia, WVU Extension Service, or Valley Health, or check the DHHR Resource Directory.
  5. Are WVDPCP programs free?
    Many, like those by Active SWV, are free, but availability varies. Some may require a prescription or eligibility screening.
  6. How effective are these programs?
    National DPP participants have achieved an average 6.3% body weight loss, significantly reducing type 2 diabetes risk.
  7. What should I do if I’m at risk for diabetes?
    Take the CDC Prediabetes Risk Test, consult a doctor, and consider joining a program like PreventT2.
  8. How can healthcare providers contribute?
    Providers can partner with the WVDPCP to enhance screening, referrals, and data integration through initiatives like the West Virginia Health Connection.
  9. Why is diabetes a major issue in West Virginia?
    With an 18.2% diabetes rate and 25% prediabetes prevalence, the state faces a high burden, exacerbated by rural healthcare challenges.
  10. How does the WVDPCP reach rural communities?
    Through community screenings, extension agents, and partnerships, though some counties still lack adequate program access.

Conclusion

The West Virginia Diabetes Prevention and Control Program is a critical response to the state’s diabetes epidemic, addressing one of the highest prevalence rates in the U.S. By promoting public awareness, delivering evidence-based programs like the National DPP, and fostering community and healthcare partnerships, the WVDPCP is making strides in preventing and managing diabetes. While challenges like rural access and undiagnosed cases persist, initiatives such as community screenings and the West Virginia Health Connection are expanding reach and impact. Residents can take proactive steps by accessing resources through the DHHR Resource Directory, taking risk tests, and joining prevention programs to improve their health outcomes and contribute to a healthier West Virginia.