Improving Health Equity by Focusing on Diabetes Care
More than 34 million Americans live with diabetes, but the impact of this chronic disease is not distributed equally.[i] The fact that inequities exist is not new, but in recent years, the pandemic has significantly exacerbated the disparities in both access to care and outcomes. It’s why CVS Caremark has made chronic diseases like diabetes, sickle cell, HIV and cardiovascular disease the center of our commitment to address systemic inequities in health care.
Understanding the barriers to care for diabetes
The disproportionate impact of diabetes on people of color is all too real: the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes is 77 percent higher among African Americans and 66 percent higher among Latinos/Hispanics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[ii] And for many people with diabetes, barriers to care often mean their disease is not well managed – resulting in worse health outcomes and higher long-term costs.
Some barriers are physical, like the distance a person may live from a provider. Others may be less tangible, such as lack of access to culturally appropriate education materials, limited care options or mistrust in a health system that historically has not served their communities well.
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CVS Health and CVS Caremark’s commitment to addressing diabetes health equity
We have a responsibility to correct these wrongs and lower barriers to care. Achieving this means actively collaborating in communities with local organizations to help deliver health education resources, increased testing and screening, improved access to health services, and targeted treatment interventions.
As part of CVS Health’s overall commitment to fighting diabetes, and in recognition of American Diabetes Month, we recently announced a $10 million commitment to the American Diabetes Association that will fund research on the health disparities that fuel this epidemic. Through our partnership, we will support increased access to care amongst the most high-risk and vulnerable in our communities, providing vital resources to help them prevent and manage diabetes.
Because chronic diseases like diabetes do not exist in a silo, we are also focusing on risk factors and comorbidities with other conditions, including cardiovascular disease. Our data shows that people with cardiovascular disease who are in under-served populations are less likely to start treatment, and when they do receive therapy, are less likely to be on an optimized dosage to meet their blood pressure goals. To address this, we aim to increase initiation of medication therapy amongst people facing cardiovascular disease and help ensure those already on treatment receive the support they need to stay adherent.
The growing prevalence of diabetes has also led industry experts to advocate for changes in care management programs to better help patients overcome these challenges. Our Transform Diabetes Care program is highly effective in targeting peoples’ specific care needs. By using advanced analytics and individualized interventions to meet members wherever they are in their care journey, we can close gaps and improve overall health.[iii]
We must continue to uncover and address barriers to care seen with diabetes, among other chronic conditions. By tackling one chronic condition, we’re a step closer to helping eradicate health care disparities for the long term.