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REVISED                                                           CONTACT: Susan Pisano, AAHP
October 5, 2000                                                                   (202) 778-3245
11:00 AM EDT

First Community-Wide Response Kicks Off In Westchester County, New York,
While 200 Health Plans Apply Full-Court Press
By "Taking on Diabetes" Nationwide

(Westchester County, New York)  The most far-reaching national effort in history to fight diabetes has reached two important milestones: More than 200 health plans across the country are now committed to Taking on Diabetes, and the first local, community-wide mobilization is being kicked-off today in Westchester County, New York. 

Taking on Diabetes aims to achieve dramatic reductions in vision loss, end-stage renal disease, and cardiovascular disease-all tragic consequences of the diabetes epidemic.  It is a joint program of the American Association of Health Plans and the American Diabetes Association.  The Westchester coalition, as well as coalitions in New Mexico, and Kansas City, Missouri, are outgrowths of the Taking on Diabetes collaboration.

The Westchester model being launched today is a coordinated effort to fight the disease by physicians, public health agencies and health plans.  It is the first such broad-based assault on this disease.

"Today we know a great deal about what works in the fight against diabetes; the problem is that knowledge is not being applied consistently for patients and in communities across the nation," said Robert Greifinger, M.D., chair of the Westchester County, New York Diabetes Coalition. "We are proud that Westchester County is leading the way with a coordinated, uniform model employing the best proven practices for America to overcome the diabetes epidemic."

Studies show that the number of cases of diabetes skyrocketed in the 1990s, with a 33 percent increase nationwide and a 70 percent increase among people in their thirties.  One-third of those with diabetes don't know it, and there are often tragic consequences.

The groundbreaking Taking on Diabetes initiative will result in tens of thousands of doctors, nurses and other health professionals using a detailed blueprint for action in the form of comprehensive and ongoing monitoring and state-of-the-art treatment to produce measurable gains against the disease.

"America needs a new, national offensive to fight the diabetes epidemic," said AAHP President Karen Ignagni. "Our members have been proud to join the American Diabetes Association to work side-by-side on this mission."

The New York Health Plan Association has created a common guideline to serve as a blueprint for action. The foundation of this guideline is the American Diabetes Association's comprehensive information on procedures and goals for diabetes care. The New York coalition is providing 1200 physicians with tool kits that include the guideline, and there is a coordinated process for follow-up to ensure that physicians are incorporating the materials into their practices.

"Community-wide models have enormous potential to affect the health and lives of large numbers of patients," said Marian Parrott, M.D., M.P.H., Vice-President of Clinical Affairs for the American Diabetes Association. "A network of community models, based on our association's carefully developed guidelines, is the best way to ensure impact and affect outcomes on a wide scale."

All of the health plans that provide coverage for citizens in Westchester are partners in the local effort. (See below for list of partners.) New York State Senator Guy Velella has been instrumental in his leadership.

Taking on Diabetes also includes two other groundbreaking models in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Kansas City, Missouri. A broad collaborative of New Mexico's diabetes care professionals, health plans, the New Mexico Department of Health, and the New Mexico Medicare Review Association is developing statewide tailored guidelines and other resources for providers.  In Kansas City, four health plans, along with provider groups and hospitals, are focused on improvements in physician office practice systems that promote better outreach and monitoring.

Taking on Diabetes also involves partnerships with the employer community, most notably the Employers' Managed Health Care Association.

Funding for Taking on Diabetes is being provided by Pharmacia & Upjohn, Schering Diabetes, and SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals.

The Taking on Diabetes web site can be accessed through www.aahp.org or directly at www.takingondiabetes.org.

Diabetes affects 16 million Americans, with nearly 800,000 additional cases diagnosed each year.  Each year, adult-onset diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, end-stage kidney failures, and lower-limb amputations. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death by disease. Experts estimate that diabetes costs the nation $98 billion annually. 

Partners in the Westchester County New York Diabetes Coalition:

* American Association of Health Plans
* American College of Physicians-- New York State Internal Medical Society,
* AetnaUS Healthcare
* Bronx-Westchester Chapter of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians,
* CIGNA Healthcare of New York
* Empire BlueCross BlueShield
* Fidelis Care New York,
* GENESIS Healthplan
* HealthSource/Hudson Health Plan
* HIP Health Plan of New York
* Independent Health
* IPRO
* Medical Society of the State of New York
* New York Health Plan Association Council
* New York State Academy of Family Physicians
* Oxford Health Plan
* PHS Health Plans
* Westchester County Department of Health
* Westchester County Medical Society.

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The American Association of Health Plans (AAHP) represents more than 1,000 health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and other similar health plans that provide health care  coverage for more than 140 million Americans.