Image of the state of Maryland The Maryland Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) was established in 1985 through a cooperative agreement between the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Maryland DPCP is one of 59 state and territorial programs that comprise the National Diabetes Prevention and Control Program. The primary goals of the Maryland DPCP are to prevent or delay the development of Type 2 diabetes among those at high risk, and to prevent the development of medical complications among people with diabetes. Our activities include the following:

Data collection, analysis and surveillance. The Maryland DPCP collects and disseminates information that defines the burden of diabetes on the citizens of our state. This includes information about the incidence, prevalence and distribution of diabetes, diabetes-related morbidity and mortality, health disparities and medical care costs attributable to diabetes, and trends in diabetes-related health indicators. Data sources include, but are not limited to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS), hospital discharge information, Maryland vital statistics data, national renal network data and information from community health centers and managed care organizations.

The Maryland Diabetes Prevention and Control Coalition. This broad-based coalition of key stakeholder organizations works in close partnership with the Maryland DPCP to plan, implement and evaluate diabetes prevention and control activities that are science based and data driven. The Coalition and DHMH are developing an updated statewide implementation plan. The activities included therein will be implemented during the 2005-2007 period. The Coalition serves as a statewide forum for the identification, discussion and addressing of issues related to diabetes prevention and control. Collectively and individually, its members will advocate for the resources necessary to implement the activities included in the state plan.

Assessing and improving the quality of diabetes care. The Maryland DPCP has established partnerships with a number of health care provider organizations to assess the status of current provided care, and plan and implement activities to improve the quality of care provided to people with diabetes. Baseline levels and target goals have been established relative to the percentages of clients with diabetes who receive specific elements of recommended care (e.g., foot and eye exams, HbA1c tests). As a partner in Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) National Health Care Disparities Collaborative project, the DPCP assisted eight community health centers in establishing diabetes patient registries that not only help them track and manage patient care, but generate printed reports documenting progress toward quality improvement goals. These goals are consistent with those of the National Diabetes Prevention and Control Program.

Increasing diabetes awareness among a variety of audiences. As an active partner in the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), the Maryland DPCP works with a wide variety of organizations and agencies to increase awareness about diabetes among the general public, people with diabetes and their families, health care professionals and organizers and payers of care. Created by the DPCP, the Maryland Diabetes Awareness Partnership Network serves as a means through which to share diabetes awareness messages and materials with more than 400 organizations in Maryland whose constituents include people with diabetes, and/or those at risk for the disease. The DPCP also publishes and disseminates a topical monthly news bulletin entitled Diabetes Info To Go.

Monitoring and influencing health policy related to diabetes. The DPCP monitors health policies related to diabetes on an ongoing basis, and attempts to influence such policies in a way that contributes to the health of citizens with, or at risk for diabetes. Accomplishments include expansion of preventive health services to Medicaid beneficiaries with diabetes; influencing coverage of preventive health services for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, and active support of state legislation that extended diabetes self-management education and self blood glucose monitoring equipment and supplies to people with diabetes.

Contact information

Maryland Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Family Health Administration
Center for Preventive Health Services
Office of Preventive Health Programs
300 West Preston Street, Suite 200
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Telephone: (410) 767-6774
Fax Number: (410) 333-7411

Additional Information

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Maryland Diabetes Control and Prevention Program

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This page last reviewed January 31, 2005.

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Diabetes Translation