Release Date: June 10, 2008
Contact: Christine Patmon, Metro Health Public Relations Manager, 207-8638
State and City Officials Join Metro Health to Highlight Nation’s Second Public Health Diabetes Registry
Pilot program may be key to help develop solutions for diabetes epidemic in Texas
City and State officials joined Metro Health leaders to highlight the Hemoglobin A1c (Diabetes) Registry, an initiative that could be a start-up model for Texas to assess populations at risk from death or injury due to diabetes and how the disease is being managed. Efforts to launch the A1c or Diabetes Registry are underway with soon-to-be established lab connections that will allow Metro Health to begin population surveillance of the disease in Bexar County.
The registry is an 18-month, State-authorized pilot project (HB 2132) that will make diabetes a reportable disease for the first time ever in any area of Texas. At the pilot’s conclusion, a summary report will ultimately be given to the governor and legislature.
“San Antonio is the perfect testing ground for the Diabetes Registry not only due to the prevalence of disease in Bexar County but also because of the dedication of this city’s public health department,” said Rep. Joe Straus, District 121. “I am proud to have authored HB 2132 to make this pilot possible and look forward to its results.”
Currently, a snapshot of diabetes shows the following impact locally and statewide:
Local
Rate is twice that of the nation’s – 14% compared to 7%
Death rate is second-highest of the 54 largest U.S. cities
Primary cause of death for 342 residents in 2006; highest mortalities in District 3 (53)
State
Affects 1.3 million adult Texans and another potential 418,000
Results in 30 deaths for every 100,000 people annually
6th leading case of death, 4th leading case for Hispanics and African Americans
Cost $3.7 billion for hospitalizations alone in 2003
Amputations in border communities 14% higher than non-border communities
Second most common chronic childhood disease after asthma
“This disease has a devastating impact on Texas families, specifically in San Antonio,” said Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, sponsor of HB 2132. “The growing number of people, especially children, dealing with the pain and hardship of daily insulin injections is heartbreaking. We must strive to eradicate the many cases of diabetes that are preventable through simple lifestyle and dietary changes.”
The registry will allow Metro Health to gather thousands of hemoglobin A1c test results from local laboratories to conduct the population surveillance. The A1c test serves as a medical marker, indicating how well a diagnosed diabetic is managing his or her blood sugar levels over a period of time. Registry data will then be assessed to help determine the extent of the impact, levels of control, and possible target areas for future diabetes research and education.
“Of all the chronic diseases, diabetes is one of the most deadly and disabling. If we don’t act now, we will see a growing number of amputations, visual impairments, kidney failures, and other complications that severely impact one’s ability to lead a healthy and productive life,” said Director of Health Dr. Fernando Guerra.
As Metro Health moves forward with the pilot, the health department is supporting a public service announcement campaign by the National Ad Council and the American Diabetes Association that aims to create awareness of the A1c test and encourage diabetics to visit their doctors for regular tests. Local radio and TV stations are being asked to air the PSAs.
The registry will be only the second such public health registry in the country. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene initiated the first registry last year. The company which provided assistance to NYC, Vermont Clinical Decision Support, LLC, also will collaborate with Metro Health to network local laboratories for the collection, storage and maintenance of registry data.
For more information, call Jennifer Herriott, Population-based Services Area Administrator, at 207-7052.
