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The Diabetes Ten City Challenge (DTCC) puts prevention and intervention to the test.
Program Components
Employers established a voluntary health benefit for employees, dependents and retirees with diabetes.
Thirty employers in 10 cities waived co-payments for diabetes medications and supplies if participants met regularly with a specially trained pharmacist “coach”.
Pharmacists communicated with physicians after every visit and referred patients to other healthcare providers for additional care or education as needed.
Results
Health Improved:
- 23% improvement in blood glucose (HbA1c<7)
- 29% improvement in blood pressure (<130/80 mmHg)
- 11% improvement in cholesterol (LDL-C<100 mg/dL)
Prevention Increased:
- Flu vaccinations increased from 32% to 65%
- Eye exams increased from 57% to 81%
- Foot exams increased from 34% to 74%
Costs Improved:
- Patients saved an average of $593 per year on their diabetes medications and supplies because employers waived their co-pays.
- Employers saved an average of $1,079 per patient even factoring in the cost of waived co-pays.
DTCC Personal Triumphs
--TAMPA BAY, FL. In the first year of implementing the DTCC as part of the comprehensive health management and support programs for employees of the Manatee County Government and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the county’s cost for diabetes-related hospital admissions dropped from $500,000 to around $70,000 and has stayed in that range for three years.
--DALTON, GA. This city represents a smaller market with a high percentage of manufacturing jobs. The results have been positive with patients receiving one-on-one guidance from health professionals. In fact, one participant lost 20 pounds and reduced his HbA1c to 5.8 from an original level over 7 during the program. He also used his employer’s health club membership to swim more and won six medals at the state senior competition.
--HONOLULU, HI. Personal health and dietary coaching have made a difference in the lives of patients in Hawaii. One man in the study noted that “A lot of times you only see a doctor for five minutes, you talk briefly and you’re out of there. With my pharmacist coach, I am able to sit down, talk about what’s going on and not feel rushed.” After sitting with his coach and learning about the high glycemic levels of many traditional Hawaiian foods, this participant lowered his HbA1c level from 11 to 6.9 over two years.
--CUMBERLAND, MD. Western Maryland Health System, a large employer and the only hospital in Allegany County Maryland, immediately recognized the benefit of joining the DTCC. They welcomed the potential savings of the proactive approach. Cumberland-area study participants appreciated the plan as well. A local pastor and his wife learned how to manage their diabetes together, using blood monitoring and exercise. The pastor dropped 36 lbs and his wife lost 11. And now they’re enthusiastically spreading the good news of proactive health management to their entire congregation.
To learn more, go to http://www.DiabetesTenCityChallenge.com
The DTCC program was sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association with support from GlaxoSmithKline.
Reference: Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, May/June 2009. Diabetes Ten City Challenge: Final economic and clinical results.