Download MHC Diabetes for Life initiative

Media Contact:
Denise Bollheimer, 901-482-9538
Board Chair
Healthy Memphis Common Table
[email protected]
For Immediate Release:
Feb. 25, 2009
Healthy Memphis Common Table Announces Initiative to Improve
Community-Based Healthcare Services for Mid-South Residents
Memphis-Area Diabetes for Life Program through Memphis Healthy Churches
Part of New Merck Company Foundation Alliance to Close Gaps in Diabetes Healthcare
Memphis, Tennessee — Healthy Memphis Common Table, today announced the launch of Diabetes for Life to reach out
to communities served by the 100 member churches of Memphis Healthy Churches (MHC). Memphis Healthy Churches
is the Healthy Memphis Common Table community partner who will lead the initiative. The goal is to educate, screen,
and reduce the risks of diabetes and related chronic conditions. The Diabetes for Life initiative is part of The Alliance to
Reduce Disparities in Diabetes (Alliance), a new five-year initiative of The Merck Company Foundation, the
philanthropic arm of Merck & Co., Inc., to mobilize community-based partners and enhance the delivery of proven,
collaborative approaches that can close gaps in diabetes care. “This is a tremendous opportunity to reinforce the power of
partnership as a regional health improvement collaborative,” noted Renee S. Frazier, executive director of the Healthy Memphis
Common Table.
“As members of the community we understand the challenges and barriers that Memphis-area residents face,”
said Patria Johnson, MSSW, program manager of Memphis Healthy Churches. “By joining the Alliance we look forward
to improving access to the types of services that will help people live healthier lives and create a healthier community.
The Diabetes for Life initiative is working to overcome these challenges to make sure that, no matter how much money
you have or where you live, you can get the help you need.”
In Shelby County, it is estimated that 12 percent of the population has been diagnosed with diabetes. Many more
people may have diabetes but not know it. High rates of diabetes and complications from the disease are due in large part
to a combination of economic, education, and cultural factors. As a result, mortality rates for heart disease, stroke and
diabetes are high in the Mid-South, especially among African Americans and Hispanics. “Screening is especially
important, as many people do not understand their risks,” according to Mae Clayton, RN, who is a certified diabetes
educator for Memphis Healthy Churches. “While nearly 73% of people screened in a Memphis Healthy Churches
wellness survey in 2007 were overweight or obese, only 57.6% said they had a weight problem and only 37% said they
had received professional advice about losing weight in the last year.”
In the Diabetes for Life program, church volunteers and medical professionals will implement an evidence-based
chronic disease self-management program to diabetics. This help will be part of a comprehensive approach to diabetes
management and care. Additional resources will assist participants. These include peer support groups, diet and nutritional
counseling, and exercise options. Case management support will be provided to diabetics identified with additional care
needs. Memphis Healthy Churches will collaborate with health service providers to help diabetics who may need medical
attention. Georgia Oliver, RN, director of Memphis Healthy Churches, will oversee project coordination and integration
of outreach as well as clinical operations. Provider cultural competency and communications training and a patient
feedback process will also be implemented.
Nearly 100 public health officials participated in the national launch of the Alliance at a luncheon program today
in Washington, D.C., that highlighted various opportunities for collaboration and ways to address equity in care. Speakers
shared strategies for culturally relevant outreach and community-focused programs that can improve patient care and help
people with diabetes who are most at risk for complications manage their condition.
Healthy Memphis Common Table release
February 25, 2009
Diabetes for Life initiative
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“We cannot and should not ignore the growing physical and economic toll of inadequate healthcare on the lives of
many individuals in the United States," said Richard T. Clark, chairman, president, and chief executive officer, Merck &
Co., Inc. "Innovative, community-based programs are making real progress reducing the critical gaps in care that are so
difficult for many low-income and vulnerable individuals. The Alliance aims to support that progress by becoming a
mobilizing force in improving outcomes for those who are underserved by current healthcare models and at the most
serious risk for diabetes.”
The Merck Company Foundation has committed $15 million to support community-based programs in
Camden, N.J., Chicago, Dallas, Fort Washakie, Wyo., and Memphis, Tennessee through the Alliance in an effort to
decrease diabetes disparities and enhance the quality of healthcare by improving prevention and management services.
The Center for Managing Chronic Disease at the University of Michigan will serve as the national program office
coordinating Alliance efforts. As the national program office, the Center will encourage innovative work addressing the
social, behavioral, environmental and clinical aspects of diabetes control and advocate on behalf of those dedicated to
reducing the alarming national disparities in diabetes outcomes. "Evidence-based work at the local level and vigorous
support at the national level could dramatically change the picture of diabetes disparities in this country," said Noreen
Clark, Ph.D., director, Center for Managing Chronic Disease and national program office director. "The Center has
extensive experience in mobilizing stakeholders who understand the problems of chronic disease management and have
the interest and ability to bring about needed change. This experience positions the Center very well to help the Alliance
achieve its goals.”
For more information, visit www.healthymemphis.org or visit www.alliancefordiabetes.org.
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About Healthy Memphis Common Table
Healthy Memphis Common Table (HMCT) is a regional health improvement collaborative of community organizations,
coalitions, and individuals dedicated to improving the health of people in the greater Memphis area.
About Memphis Healthy Churches
Memphis Healthy Churches is a Memphis-area health promotion program targeting African American churches with health
and wellness programs. Memphis Healthy Churches is one of the leading community partners of the Healthy Memphis Common
Table in the area of faith-based health ministries.
About The Merck Company Foundation
The Merck Company Foundation is a U.S.-based, private charitable foundation. Established in 1957 by the global researchdriven pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc., the Foundation is funded entirely by the Company and is Merck's chief
source of funding support to qualified non-profit, charitable organizations. Since its inception, The Merck Company
Foundation has contributed more than $560 million to support important initiatives that address societal needs and are
consistent with Merck’s overall mission to enhance the health and well-being of people around the world. For more
information, visit www.merckcompanyfoundation.org.
Memphis-area media contact for more information:
C. Denise Bollheimer, Board Chair - Healthy Memphis Common Table: 901-482-9538; [email protected]