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DIABETES INITIATIVE KICKOFF
Release Date: June 3, 2010
The Diabetes Initiative, a faith based initiative to reduce diabetes in Western New York kicked off with a day of training for congregational volunteers on Wednesday June 2, 2010. The Diabetes Initiative is a collaborative effort of the Network of Religious Communities, The Institute for Leadership, NY City, and the New York State Health Foundation.
Recognizing that more than 1.8 million New York State residents have diabetes and another 3.7 million New Yorkers New Your adults have pre-diabetes the New York State Health Foundation launched a five-year, $35 million campaign in May 2008 to reverse the diabetes epidemic in New York. The campaign focuses upon improving clinical care and patient outcomes and to support private and public payment policies that enable providers to deliver more comprehensive, coordinated care for patients with diabetes.
A third, and creatively new part of the initiative attempts to mobilize communities by working in and through faith based organization to identify people with diabetes, help them manage their diabetes and promote healthy eating and physical activity. The focus of this effort is providing comprehensive training of volunteers identified by local congregations who will lead the effort in the congregation.
The Network of Religious Communities and the Institute for Leadership are partnering with the New York State Health Foundation to lead the faith based effort. The Network of Religious Communities is implementing the initiative in Western New York while the Institute for Leadership is focusing upon the New York City area.
The first round of the Diabetes Initiative kicked off in Western New York with a six hour training session held at the Network of Religious Communities offices at 1272 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY. A follow up six hours of training session will be held Saturday June 12, 2010. Once the second session has been completed the volunteers will initiate a Diabetes Initiative in their congregation.
The Network of Religious Communities is exploring holding a second round training for additional congregation in late summer or early fall. If your congregation might be interested in participating in the next or future round of Diabetes Initiative Training call Dr Stan Bratton, Network of Religious Communities 716-882-4793 ext 201 for email ecustan@earthlink.net for more information and details.
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