Preventing Diabetes at the Iowa City Free Clinic

The prevalence of diabetes in Johnson County and across the country is skyrocketing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (National Diabetes Statistics Report: Estimates of Diabetes and Its Burden in the United States, 2014), 9.1 million people have diabetes in the United States. An additional 86 million are at risk for developing diabetes and of these, 9 out of 10 are unaware of their risk. Although Johnson County has a lower prevalence of diabetes (6.4 percent) compared to Iowa (8.18 percent) and the United States (9.03 percent), Johnson County's mortality rate for diabetes has risen since 2010, and in 2013, it exceeded that of the state and nation (Johnson County Health Improvement Plan 2016-20.)

This prevalence of diabetes is reflected in the patients cared for at the Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic. We have treated thousands of uninsured and underinsured individuals with diabetes, primarily with Diabetes Type II, in which the body can't properly use insulin. Patients receive quarterly visits, specialty care, labs, medications, immunizations, radiology procedures, education and case management. Glucose control and blood pressure management are carefully monitored throughout the year to reduce the risk of disease complications, which include heart disease, blindness and kidney disease.

The Clinic also serves patients who are at risk for pre-diabetes, where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered Diabetes Type II. If untreated, pre-diabetes is very likely to become Diabetes Type II in 10 years or less. However, research has found that individuals diagnosed with pre-diabetes can significantly reduce their risk of developing diabetes through lifestyle changes in diet and exercise. This past year, through invaluable partnerships, the Free Clinic expanded educational programming for our patients diagnosed with pre-diabetes.

The Free Clinic recently received a grant through the Iowa Department of Public Health to refer patients diagnosed with pre-diabetes to Mercy Iowa City's National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). This partnership will provide support for Clinic patients to make the necessary life style changes to reduce their risk of developing diabetes.

In addition, with funding received through a 'Flexibility in Addressing Unmet Needs” grant from the Iowa Department of Public Health, Johnson County Public Health partnered with the Free Clinic to develop educational programming about ways to prevent Diabetes Type II among Hispanic/Latino populations. The project included producing a culturally appropriate educational video in Spanish. It has been well received by our patients and is now being shared with other free clinics in Iowa. You can view it here.

The Free Clinic staff and volunteers are dedicated to working within our community to provide both prevention and treatment of diabetes and other chronic medical conditions. If you would like additional information or would like to volunteer your services, please call 319-337-4459 or fill out an online application on our website, freemedicalclinic.org.

' Barbara Vinograde is executive director of the Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic.