November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and is a great time to learn more about diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose levels, also known as blood sugar, are too high. Diabetes can damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. It can also be linked to some kinds of cancer. Diabetes affects 38.4 million people of all ages.
Certain people have a greater risk of having diabetes. People may be more likely to have diabetes if they are overweight, are not physically active, have prediabetes, have a history of diabetes in the family, or are African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, or Pacific Islander.
The most common kinds of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system attacks and destroys insulin and produces cells in your pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that develops over time. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly, often resulting in high blood sugar level.
Type 1 diabetes typically develops in childhood, while Type 2 diabetes typically is diagnosed in adults.
Midwest QIN-QIO is focused on preventing and managing Type 2 diabetes.
Midwest QIN-QIO work with Type 2 Diabetes
In the 13th scope of work, Midwest QIN-QIO has some efforts and initiatives that help prevent Type 2 Diabetes. A priority area in this work is Prevention and Chronic Disease Management, which provides evidence-based strategies to identify those at risk, and provide early and effective management to reduce symptoms and maintain quality of life.
The Midwest QIN-QIO’s work includes intervention strategies to prevent the onset and slow the progression of Type 2 diabetes. QIN-QIOs are expected to determine contributing factors to the onset and progression of these diseases and provide education and resources (based on A3C findings) focused on addressing contributing factors.
Contributing factors include but are not limited to obesity and medically necessary dental care. The education in the Midwest QIN-QIO 13th scope of work includes focusing on ensuring providers/outpatient clinical practices are assessing obesity and medically necessary dental care and in addition to other contributing factors, and that providers/outpatient clinical practices are connecting patients to resources available to address these factors.
Another focus area in the Midwest QIN-QIO 13th scope of work is Advancing Healthcare Quality through Technology. In the AHQT pilot, work in outpatient clinics will focus on:
- Preventative Care and Screening – Body Mass Index (BMI) screening and follow-up increase by 30 percent
- Diabetes – Hemoglobin ALC (HbAlc) Poor Control (>9%) and decrease by 20 percent (RIR)
Individual tips for Type 2 Diabetes Prevention
Taking important steps toward a healthier lifestyle such as planning health meals, being physically active, getting plenty of sleep, not smoking, taking medicine on time and properly, and reaching and maintaining a healthy weight can allow you to build healthy and sustainable health habits and help prevent diabetes.
If you are managing diabetes, do not forget to take care of your mental health as well. If you are feeling overwhelmed, sad, or depressed, consider talking to a mental health professional or joining a support group.
For more tips on Type 2 Diabetes prevention and management, reach out to us by emailing us at contact@midwestqinqio.com, or visiting the contact us page on our website.
For more tips on Type 2 Diabetes prevention and management, reach out to us by emailing us at contact@midwestqinqio.com, or visiting the contact us page on our website.
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