Tier 2: Case Study

American Pharmacists Association Foundation and National Community Pharmacy Association Support the National DPP Lifestyle Change Program

From 2017 to 2022, the American Pharmacists Association Foundation (APhA Foundation) worked with community pharmacies to reach communities with limited resources as part of a 5-year cooperative agreement with CDC. In the spring of 2022, the foundation partnered with the National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA) to pilot the expansion of this community pharmacy model, called the STARS (Screen, Test, and Referral Solutions) program.

The pilot program is using a pay-for-performance approach to determine the effectiveness of providing financial incentives for pharmacies to screen, test, refer, and enroll participants in the National DPP LCP. Pharmacies are not required to offer the LCP themselves. Instead, they screen and refer people who are eligible to a distance-learning program. This approach recognizes that some pharmacies may not have the time or expertise to offer classes, but they can help identify people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The STARS program also recognizes there are often more National DPP LCP classes (especially through distance learning) available than there are people who want to enroll. Previous experience has shown that only 1 in 10 people who are identified as eligible actually follow through and enroll in the National DPP LCP and attend classes. The STARS program addressed this problem by working to screen large groups of people, as a way to increase enrollment.

Tier 2 in Action: Screen, Test, Refer, and Enroll Patients

Chronic diseases, including diabetes, affect many people across the United States. Community pharmacies are an ideal and trusted point of care for many patients who need help addressing their health care needs. Community pharmacy staff are also knowledgeable and experienced in screening and referring people at risk for type 2 diabetes to the services they need.

Since the spring of 2022 of the STARS program, the APhA Foundation and NCPA have successfully contracted with 25 community pharmacies in 11 states and have enrolled a combined 300 participants in the National DPP LCP.