Reducing the burden of diabetes through local health departments, coalitions, and community planning

Recent budget cuts at the local level create a challenge for local health departments (LHDs) in addressing the prevention and management of diabetes, prediabetes, and associated risk factors, such as obesity. For this reason, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT) to strengthen the capacity of LHDs to reduce the burden of diabetes in their communities. In July 2010, with support from the CDC, NACCHO issued a request for applications to LHDs, inviting submission of an application for training in CDC's Diabetes Today curriculum. NACCHO selected 8 LHDs for participation in the training. Each LHD chose a community partner engaged in diabetes prevention and control to join it for the training and in future collaborative efforts. In October 2010, each LHD and partner team received training, and prepared their plans for the development of a coalition and/or interventions at the community level. By spring 2011, participants began to establish or expand their diabetes prevention and management coalitions, conduct surveys and focus groups to assess the current burden of diabetes, available resources, and services needed; and develop additional services to prevent and manage diabetes in their communities. Participation in the Diabetes Today training program and continuing support from NACCHO has provided LHDs and their community partners with an increased understanding of evidence-based practices and the need for coalitions, as well as new ideas of how to address the problems in their communities.