Peventing Type II Diabetes

Phase I – A Systems Approach to Diabetes Care

This project began with a shared concern about an emerging health disparity in Orange County, the rapid increase in Type II Diabetes, among people of color. This was prior to the current wide-spread national interest in the diabetes epidemic. In 2000, the Health Funders Partnership of Orange County granted $2.4 million to four organizations. The projects created a replicable example of how health care providers and other sectors of the community could work together to address service access, health education, and behavior change in the management of chronic disease.

Significant accomplishments of these four projects include:

• 16,653 people received direct service
• 100% of county public school nurses were trained to screen students
• 5,471 5th - 8th grade students in 8 school districts were screened, resulting in 18% being referred for further treatment
• An outreach campaign in the Vietnamese community resulted in the screening of over 6,000 people and educational training for 236 physicians

Read the evaluation report prepared by Harder+Company Community Research

Phase II – Community Advocacy: Fresh Ideas on Food and Fitness for Orange County's Kids

Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes. An estimated one in three children born in 2000 will develop the disease. In response to this rising epidemic, the Health Funders Partnership of Orange County launched the second phase of the Diabetes Initiative, Community Advocacy: Fresh Ideas on Food and Fitness for Orange County Kid's in 2005 and approximately $550,000 was granted to six organizations. The focus of this three-year initiative was to develop and demonstrate sustainable change in the built environment; obtain policy change in schools and cities; create opportunities for physical activity and fitness; and create environmental change providing communities access to healthy foods. Significant accomplishments of these projects include:

• Physical activity programs implemented in 750 elementary school classrooms and overall test scores improved by an average of 100 points
• Healthy cafeteria food options were provided in two elementary schools and one hospital
• Several soccer leagues and other physical activities were organized
• Leadership training was provided to residents in several communities to empower them to advocate for change in the built environment, enforce joint use agreements and make playgrounds and parks safe.

Read the Phase II Final Evaluation Report prepared by Samuels & Associates