Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: April 9, 2002
Contact: Dona Goldman, 401-222-6957

HEALTH DEPARTMENT DISTRIBUTES "MY DIABETES RECORD"
HELPING PATIENTS MANAGE DIABETES IN RHODE ISLAND

About 70,000 people in Rhode Island have diabetes. Only 46,000 have been diagnosed. To raise awareness of the epidemic proportion of diabetes in the state, the RI Department of Health (HEALTH), Diabetes Control Program launched a new public education campaign and provided the public with a new resource to help manage the disease.

"We plan to distribute more than 50,000 booklets called ‘My Diabetes Record’ to assist Rhode Islanders to manage their diabetes," said Patricia A. Nolan, MD, MPH, Director, Rhode Island Department of Health. "My Diabetes Record promotes the national standards of care for diabetes and enhances communication among health professionals, patients, their families, and other caregivers. It’s another tool for helping people with diabetes to live fuller and healthier lives."

The national standards of care were developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) and the American Diabetes Association.

HEALTH plans to mail 20,000 booklets directly to health care providers, health centers, and on request to people with diabetes throughout the state. Other partners, such as Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare, Neighborhood Health Plan, Rhode Island Quality Partners and the RI Health Center Association will distribute booklets to more than 30,000 Rhode Island members and patients with diabetes.

My Diabetes Record (also available in Spanish and Portuguese) features a helpful resource page and reminders for scheduling annual eye and dental exams and podiatry appointments. In addition, My Diabetes Record provides a convenient way to log physician checkups, as well as daily blood sugar levels, foods eaten, physical activity, and medications.

This health promotion effort takes place in partnership with a number of key statewide health organizations. They include: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island, United Health Care of New England, Rhode Island Quality Partners, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, the Diabetes Foundation of Rhode Island, Lifespan, Rhode Island Health Center Association and the Diabetes Resource Center of St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Dona Goldman, RN, MPH, Program Director, Diabetes Program said, "We are so pleased to be able to work collaboratively with these agencies. They help us reach even more patients and their health care providers with this resource. My Diabetes Record is also part of the CDC public education campaign "Control Your Diabetes for Life" and brings Rhode Island into line with the national diabetes standards of care."

To obtain a copy of My Diabetes Record or to learn more about the available diabetes resources in the state, please contact HEALTH’s Diabetes Control Program at 401-222-3442 or go to www.health.ri.gov.