Given that November is Diabetes Awareness Month, imagine being diagnosed with diabetes. But imagine you just lost your job and don’t know what your next meal will be. Having a chronic medical condition like diabetes can be stressful for anyone, but think about what this would be like without health insurance and enough food in the fridge. .
Oklahoma 42nd out of 50 states with highest rate of diabetesaffects 13% of the adult population, according to the latest American Health Rankings annual report.
The Health Alliance for the Uninsured (HAU) partners with Oklahoma’s free charitable clinics to help the state’s most vulnerable residents. These clinics provide free care without government support, relying solely on charitable donations and volunteer support.
Diabetes cannot be treated alone. Patients seen at our partner clinics often require non-medical support such as healthy eating, safe housing and transportation. These non-medical factors occurring outside the clinical setting, known as social determinants of health,80% of human health. Patients also need support for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. These can and do interfere with other health care treatments and overall health.
The patient we call “George” is a good example of the need for holistic care. His diabetes had been well controlled in the past, but due to unexpected changes in his life, his health was steadily deteriorating. I was. As a result, he struggled to get and maintain regular appointments and manage his illness. He nearly lost his toes to nerve damage and poor circulation, a common complication of diabetes.
Clinics serving George were able to provide him with mental health support and restore his diabetes care and overall health. There is none. A person with diabetes is two to three times more likely to be depressed than a non-diabetic, According to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAnd only 25% to 50% of diabetics with depression are diagnosed and treated.
Many of our partner clinics now screen people with diabetes for depression and anxiety, as well as address non-medical factors.With the help of a United Health Foundation (UHF) grant As a result, we were able to provide medication assistance and navigation services for referrals to specialists based on the Health Alliance for Historic Uninsured Programs. Our partner clinics now have access to critical screening tools and behavioral health and social services when screening identifies a need. Partnerships are important to the Alliance. This grant has enabled Partners to expand his community to include community-based institutions, academic institutions, and multiple mental health providers serving uninsured patients. These relationships enable partner clinics to better meet the overall health needs of their patients. The United Health Foundation shares our mission to improve the health of our communities and appreciates your support. In the future, we hope to provide this holistic care to all chronically ill patients. This is sensible because we know that physical health, behavioral health and social service needs go hand in hand.
Our work with the Health Alliance for the Uninsured not only improves the health of those who need help, but it helps the entire state of Oklahoma by lowering the cost of healthcare for all. We help people stay ahead of serious and adverse health events, getting people into emergency departments when they are healthier and better served by preventive care. I try not to.
National Diabetes Awareness Month is an annual event held each November to raise awareness of diabetes risk factors and symptoms. It is also a good time to consider how we provide care, what works and what is needed.
We look to the future and work with our partners and volunteers to bring more and better care to those in need.
Jeanine Yanish Jones is executive director of the Health Alliance for the Uninsured. If you would like to learn more about HAU, please contact us at: [email protected]
