Keywords

community-based, cost analysis, diabetes risk assessment, diabetes screening, New York State

 

Authors

  1. Hosler, Akiko S. PhD
  2. Berberian, Elizabeth L. MPH
  3. Spence, Maureen M. MS, RD
  4. Hoffman, David P. MEd

Abstract

From 1997 through 1999, a total of 365 diabetes screening and awareness events targeting high-risk populations were held throughout New York State. These events were planned and implemented by community-based coalitions that received funding from the state's Diabetes Control Program. The American Diabetes Association's diabetes risk questionnaire was administered, and those individuals identified as high risk received a capillary blood glucose test. Screened individuals with glucose readings above the cut-off value (140 mg/dl or 110 mg/dl if fasting) were referred to a physician for diagnostic testing. A total of 32,954 individuals took the questionnaire, 27,237 received the blood test, and 1,564 were referred to a physician. Among those who were successfully tracked (n = 1,113), 354 were newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Seventy-two percent of participants screened were aged 45 years and older, and 67% had a body mass index of 25 or higher. Only 15% were members of ethnic minorities, and uninsured individuals were also underrepresented at 10%. The entire initiative, including planning, promotion, and administration, required 5,428 person-hours of staff time and a total cost of approximately $262,000. Fifty-seven percent of the total cost was derived from in-kind support of the coalitions. The cost of detecting each new case was $741.