Release Date: May 8, 2008
Contact: Christine Patmon, Metro Health Public Relations Manager, 207-8638
Pilot Diabetes Registry to Study Local Disease Epidemic
City Council approves contract for State-authorized pilot program to get underway
Metro Health is moving forward with an innovative evaluation of an epidemic that results in hundreds of lives lost each year in our community and untold financial costs. City Council today paved the way for the public health department to begin studying the scope of diabetes in our population and how it is being managed in Bexar County through a Diabetes Registry pilot program.
The State-authorized program will allow Metro Health to gather thousands of hemaglobulin A1C test results from local laboratories to conduct the study. The A1C tests serve as a medical marker, indicating how well a diagnosed diabetic is managing his or her blood sugar levels over a period of time. The data will be assessed from a population perspective to help determine the extent of the impact, levels of control, and possible target areas for future diabetes research and education.
“This registry is a critical piece for us to further understand this debilitating disease’s impact on our community. Our rate of diabetes is twice that of the nation’s and is even higher among some populations here in San Antonio - Latinos, in particular. The sooner we gain more knowledge, the quicker we will be able to develop potential solutions,” said District 7 Councilman Justin Rodriguez.
According to a recent report by the National Association of County and City Health Officials, San Antonio’s diabetes death rate is the second highest of the 54 largest U.S. cities. Locally, nearly 50 out of every 100,000 people die from the disease compared to 24 out of 100,000 individuals nationwide.
The Diabetes Registry is an initiative by Metro Health that was included in the City’s 2007 legislative agenda. It was authorized during the 80th Legislative Session through House bill 2132 sponsored by Representative Joe Strauss and 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.
Today’s council action gives approval for a Metro Health contract with Vermont Clinical Decision Support, LLC, to provide network connections and software to collect, store, maintain and assist in analyzing medical data for the registry. The company is expected to make its first connection with the University Health System Laboratory.
“I fully support this pilot program with Metro Health and look forward to what can be learned from the data. If there is a way to reduce the number of people needing kidney dialysis and those suffering from diabetes related complications like losing their eyesight and limbs, I believe it’s in the best interest of our community to do so,” said District 3 Councilwoman Jennifer Ramos.
For more information, call Jennifer Herriott, Population-based Services Area Administrator, at 207-7052.
