Diabetes is a serious issue both in the US and in Florida in particular. In the state, it is number six in the list of illnesses that cause death (“Proven Community Based Lifestyle Change Program,” n.d.). According to the program, 7.1% of the population in the state has the disease. Furthermore, more than a million people have pre-diabetes – a condition that leads to the development of the disease if no intervention is implemented (“Proven Community Based Lifestyle Change Program,” n.d.). Without it, 15% to 30% of those will develop type two diabetes in 5 years. That is why it is essential for those people to be aware of the issue. In Florida, several facilities offer help to patients with the issue and to those that have a risk of having diabetes. Those are the Florida Diabetes Prevention Program, The Diabetes Center in Miami, and the Diabetes Prevention Program in YMCA. Due to the nature of the disease, the focus of the presented programs is on prevention (weight loss and nutrition) and managing diabetes (lifestyle guidance).
The Florida Diabetes Prevention Program (FDPP) focuses on the lifestyle improvement aspect of the illness. In addition, by participating in the program, the risk of pre-diabetes becoming type two diabetes decreases by 50%. The program offers a test in the form of a questionnaire that allows a person to determine whether he or she is at risk of having pre-diabetes. The FDPP provides a one-year program, which includes weekly meetings for sixteen weeks and monthly meetings afterward. The focus is on weight loss (from 5% to 7% of the body mass), which is done with the assistance of trained professionals. It is based on the research of the National Institute of Health and is designed to improve the quality of life.
The program takes place at several locations across the state, which can be found on the website. To sign up, one must refer to the healthcare provider. People that are eligible for this program should be diagnosed with pre-diabetes by a nurse or a doctor, have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more, have fasting plasma glucose of 100-125 or hemoglobin A1c of 5.7-6.4. The cost varies from no fee to $500 per patient (“Proven Community Based Lifestyle Change Program,” n.d.). The Florida Diabetes Prevention Program provides an evidence-based agenda to lower the risk of type two diabetes.
Diabetes Center Miami is focused on providing help to individuals who have diabetes and want to manage it properly. It is a part of the American Diabetes Association Provider of Excellence. The center helps people by providing them with support and education from medical professionals. The outcome is proper disease management and improvement of life quality. The patients get adequate guidance in nutrition, knowledge about diabetes, and lifestyle advices that can improve their lives. Additionally, an important aspect is support from healthcare professionals. The plan that the center offers is tailored to each case. The fees for participation can vary. To be eligible one must be diagnosed with diabetes and to sign up, a person should call to make an appointment or leave contact information on the website (Diabetes Center Miami, n.d.). The center offers professional help to individuals with the disease, which is essential in improving their quality of life.
The Diabetes Prevention Program at the YMCA is an education and lifestyle management program for those who are at risk of developing the disease. To be eligible, one must be at least 18 years old, and have a BMI of 25 or more (or BMI of 22 or more for Asian individuals), and be at risk of developing diabetes. It is a sixteen-week program, which offers nutrition and exercising guide from professionals (“YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program,” n.d.). The goal is to help individuals with a pre-diabetes state to lose weight and manage their eating habits. The fee for the program vary and should be requested individually. In addition, a membership to the YMCA is included in the cost for the program (“YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program,” n.d.). The Diabetes Prevention Program at the YMCA is a critical educational facility for individuals at risk of having diabetes as it offers support and guidance to them and helps them lower the chances of developing the disease.
Vulnerable populations seeking these services can encounter several issues. Most of them will be associated with the costs and accessibility. Firstly, the presented programs may or may not be covered by insurance. Some individuals may avoid signing up because of fears associated with prices. Then, these programs are focused on helping adults, leaving children without proper assistance. Finally, they do not offer other languages, for example, for Spanish-speaking individuals that can be a challenge to those for whom English is not native. The advantages are that prevention of the disease by exercising and proper nutrition is less expensive than fees associated with medical expenses for those who have diabetes (“Proven Community Based Lifestyle Change Program,” n.d.).
References
Diabetes Center Miami. (n.d.). Welcome to Diabetes Center Miami. Web.
Proven Community Based Lifestyle Change Program. (n.d.). Web.
YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program. (n.d.). Web.