This project is sponsored by the New York State Department of Health's Office of Health Insurance Programs. The American Diabetes Association's Guidelines were used as the basis to assess the quality of diabetes care at 18 clinics and community health centers in New York State. The major goals of the project are to develop a quality indicator monitoring system, improve processes of care and improve patient perceptions of care received and knowledge and capacity for self-management.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body has too little insulin or produces no insulin.
There are 20.8 million people in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. An estimated 6.2 million have the disease and don't know it. In 2002, diabetes contributed to 224,092 deaths in this country. Complications of the disease include blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage and cardiovascular disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of non traumatic lower limb amputation in this country. For most persons with diabetes, many of these complications can be prevented or delayed with appropriate monitoring and treatment.