Diabetes Prevention Program
Making the CDC’s proven Diabetes Prevention Program Available to Low-Income Californians
Tackling California’s Skyrocketing Diabetes Epidemic
Overview
Turning the tide on the tsunami of diabetes in California—especially in low-income communities—we led the campaign to make the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) available to Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) recipients who have pre-diabetes.
Data and Research
Media Advocacy
Our study showing that 55% of California adults have either diabetes or prediabetes received banner newspaper headlines, with stories describing the skyrocketing diabetes epidemic and highlighting our call for Medi-Cal to cover DPP.
Partnership Building
We spearheaded a broad coalition of health equity advocates, DPP providers, drug companies, and health care providers all of whom called on the legislature to make DPP a covered expense for Medi-Cal recipients.
Policymaker Education
Fact sheets for individual budget committee members highlighting diabetes rates in their districts and potential cost savings from DPP.
Policy Changes
Through the state budget, the California legislature mandated DPP coverage for Medicaid recipients (Medi-Cal in California) —the first state in the nation to do so. Read more here.
Media Coverage
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Los Angeles Times, 7/7/17
With diabetes rising at alarming rate, California puts money behind prevention campaign
Read more
Resources
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UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and Public Health Advocates, March 2016
Prediabetes in California: Nearly Half of California Adults on Path to Diabetes
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Public Health Advocates, 2007
MediCal Coverage of Diabetes Prevention Program
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Learn More
The full case study is still in progress. Check back soon to explore how we tackled California’s diabetes epidemic.