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DCHD’s Institute for Health, Policy and Evaluation Research Diabetes Report Reveals Duval County Disproportions
July 17, 2007
The Duval County Health Department’s Institute for Health, Policy, and Evaluation Research released its report on a comprehensive analysis of available data on diabetes. The report describes the alarming disparities associated with diabetes that exist in Duval County as compared with other comparable Florida counties, the State of Florida and between races. The report also highlights local programs that educate, teach and promote diabetes prevention and treatment.
There are two major types of diabetes – Type 1, previously called insulin-dependent diabetes, and Type 2, non-insulin dependent diabetes. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death among all ages and has many complications, including heart disease and stroke which account for about 65% of deaths in people with diabetes in the United States. Type 2 diabetes is a particular problem in Duval compared to other counties in Florida.
The 2005 data from the Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics shows that the rate of hospitalizations due to diabetes in Duval County was 40% higher than the rate in Florida. The same data source reports emergency room visits of 174 per 100,000, due to diabetes, higher than all other comparison counties in Florida. Most alarming from the 2005 Vital Statistics and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data was the high rate of diabetes-related deaths among persons with diabetes compared to Florida and the U.S. The rate in Duval County was 284% higher than Florida and 114% higher than the U.S. The same trend exists for deaths from cardiovascular diseases in persons with diabetes; Duval County was 60% higher than Florida and 114% higher than the U.S.
In addition to the disproportionate burden of diabetes on Duval County’s residents, the Report also shows the diabetes and diabetes related disease disparities for race and geographic areas within Duval County. For instance, the rate for blacks in Duval County visiting the ER due to diabetes was triple that of whites in Duval County - 314.4 per 100,000 and 104.4 per 100,000, respectively; diabetes-related deaths are much higher in the black population. The central and northwest parts of the city (Health Zone 1 and 5) had the highest rate of diabetes deaths within Duval County.
While diabetes is a serious problem, particularly for some groups and areas of Jacksonville, local programs are available that provide prevention education, treatment options and services to help combat this disease. “A New DEAL” is a DCHD program directed at African Americans in the City’s north side and whose aim is to “Defeat Diabetes through Education, Awareness and Leadership,” hence its acronym DEAL. “A New DEAL” workers assess risk and thoroughly follow-up to make sure those at risk seek medical attention and testing; those diagnosed receive free diabetes self management education classes, and those with low risk remain that way by adjusting their lifestyle with proper diet and exercise.
Other diabetes programs available in Duval County are: Diabetes Rapid Access Program (D-RAP), an outreach program of Shands, that allows patients with diabetes to receive access to care every three days and more if needed. Jacksonville Association of Diabetes Educators (JADE) is a local chapter of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and consists of anyone interested in diabetes education in the surrounding counties. The program provides educational opportunities for the professional growth and development of quality diabetes education for the person with diabetes and fosters communication and cooperation among individuals and organizations involved in diabetes education.
DCHD’s Institute for Health, Policy, and Evaluation Research Director Dr. William Livingood, said, “The Diabetes Report addresses a significant public health problem in Jacksonville. Diabetes is a major killer in our community and it imposes a tremendous cost in both life and dollars. Diabetes and many of the complications of diabetes are preventable, and our community is challenged to do a much better job of preventing and treating diabetes in its earliest stages.”
For questions about the report or a copy of the report contact Rebecca Filipowicz, MPH, MS, CHES Coordinator, Center for Health Statistics, Institute for Health, Policy and Evaluation Research Duval County Health Department, at 665-3116.
Duval County Health Department
Main Office
515 W. 6th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
253-1000
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