Maryland

Improving Management of Diabetes and Other Chronic Health Conditions in Schools
Partnerships and training enhanced clinical management guidelines and practices for students with chronic conditions in every jurisdiction in the state.

 

The doctor takes blood.

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH), the Maryland State Department of Education, and other partners engaged stakeholders to promote best practices and develop guidelines to implement a new state law (Maryland Code, Education Article, §7-426.4Cdc-pdfExternal) and guide future actions for improved collaborative approaches to diabetes management in schools.

MDH also began data collection to examine use of stock epinephrine, in accordance with a state law requiring availability of auto-injectable epinephrine in schools (Maryland Code, Education Article, §7-426.2).

Impact

An estimated 2,687 students have a diagnosis of diabetes and 60,511 students have a diagnosis of anaphylaxis statewide, with anaphylaxis being the second most common chronic health condition diagnosis in Maryland schools. MDH delivered enhanced training in school nursing leadership and diabetes management to all 24 jurisdictions (counties) in the state. The training included technology and medication administration and other content to support school-level implementation of the new law.

This program was supported by CDC’s State Public Health Actions to Prevent and Control Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity, and Associated Risk Factors and Promote School Health cooperative agreement (DP13-1305).