Diabetes self management program in a male homeless sheltered population

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

James Plumb, MD, MPH¹, Rickie O. Brawer, MPH², Kimberly Pringle, MSII³, Leah Muhm, MSII³, and Neena Desai, MSII³. (1) Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1015 Walnut Street, Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-955-0535, James.Plumb@jefferson.edu, (2) Office to Advance Population Health, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 1015 Chestnut, Suite 617, Philadelphia, PA 19107, (3) Family and Community Medicine, C/O jeff HOPE, 1015 Walnut Street, Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Diabetes self management program in a male homeless sheltered population

The homeless in Philadelphia are a growing population with preventable disease, progressive morbidity and premature death. In Philadelphia, the median age of death for homeless men is 45. Preventive services, screening and health education programs have not been a component of a homeless care system

In 2003, Thomas Jefferson University faculty and medical students, through the Jeff H.O.P.E. (Health, Opportunities, Prevention and Education) Urban Health Initiative, instituted a screening and educational project in two men's shelters, focusing on cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The goals of the project were to 1) provide educational materials related to cardiovascular disease and diabetes; 2) assess the prevalence of risk factors, and 3) develop relevant educational programs related to risk.

At two shelters, 341 men presented for screening (mean age 42.3); 314 were screened for cholesterol, HDL, blood sugar, blood pressure and smoking status. The results included: 24 (7.6%) were newly diagnosed with diabetes, and of those with known diabetes (25), 14 (56%) were not controlled.

Based on a literature review, the findings from the screening, and a series of focus groups with sheltered diabetics, a diabetes self management program was instituted tailored to the complex issues related to diabetes management in the homeless.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

1. Recognize the prevalence of diabetes in a sheltered male population
2. Identify the complex issues related to diabetes management in a sheltered population
3. Adopt a diabetes self management education program for a sheltered population

Keywords: Diabetes, Homeless Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation

Primary Health and Mental Health Concerns in Homeless Populations

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA