The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3307.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - 4:30 PM

Abstract #49345

Effectiveness of Election Day Community Based Diabetes Screening

Eileen G. Ford, MS, RD, Jessi Allender, Sarah Kinchla, Annemarie Owens, Wendy Roseman, April Toconita, and Shortie McKinney, PhD, RD, FADA. Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215.895.2413, egford@drexel.edu

Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is under diagnosed, particularly in low-income minority groups. Community based screenings are successful, but depend upon high volume participation. Combining diabetes screening with Election Day 2000 resulted in successfully screening 136 adults; 31.5% of the 432 individuals who voted at a precinct attached to a community health center. Screening consisted of: 1)Random capillary blood glucoses (RCBG):> 140mg/dl requiring further diagnostic evaluation and 2) the American Diabetes Association Diabetes Risk Test (ADADRT) developed in 1995, which produces a weighted score based on risk factors for NIDDM: family history of NIDDM, inactivity, advancing age, history of macrosomia, and obesity. A score > 10 points identifies the subject at high risk for developing NIDDM. Scores on the ADADRT identified 52.9% (n=72) at risk for NIDDM (scores>10). Although 11.8% (n=16) had a RBG Ан140 mg/dl, only 8.1% (n=11) had both a score >10 and RBG >140mg/dl. In addition, 63.2% (n=86) had a body mass index (BMI) Ан27, indicative of overweight and obesity. This value is consistent with current weight trends in the US. For individuals with body mass index (BMI) > 27, the mean RCBG value (115mg/dl) was significantly higher (p=0.013). These findings suggest that NIDDM community based screenings on Election Day reach large numbers of potentially undiagnosed individuals. Both RCBG and ADADRT were effective in identifying individuals at risk for NIDDM. The RCBG value alone does not fully identify all individuals at risk for NIDDM. Use of both tools increases the effectiveness of the community based screening.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to