MISSION/VISION
We believe that Houstonians can better manage and prevent diabetes if they are better informed. MyDiabetesHQ is a collaborative platform for diabetes education, programs, patient navigation and referral in Houston.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the MyDiabetesHQ platform is to help patients, providers, employers and communities better navigate a fragmented healthcare system.
THE ORIGINS OF THE HOUSTON DIABETES RESOURCE CENTER
MyDiabetesHQ was developed through the Cities Changing Diabetes initiative, which brought together a variety of stakeholders representing patients, healthcare, government, employers, faith-based organizations and nonprofits to identify solutions to address diabetes in Houston and collaboratively implement them.
Cities Changing Diabetes is a global program of Novo Nordisk in which 30 cities around the world are learning how to improve diabetes detection and care in their communities. Houston and Philadelphia are the only American cities participating. The program aims to map the problem, share solutions, and drive concrete action to fight the diabetes challenge.
Cities Changing Diabetes launched in Houston in November 2014 with a comprehensive analysis of the major gaps and vulnerabilities associated with diabetes. Soon after it launched, the program invested more than a year researching the diabetes epidemic in Houston. A community-wide assessment identified the populations most at risk for developing the disease and compared them to Houstonians already diagnosed with diabetes.
This work led to the formation of five Action Work Groups with more than 75 diverse members representing approximately 60 faith-based organizations, government, health insurance companies, medical providers, employers and non-profit entities.
The focus areas for the five Action Work Groups were:
- Enhance awareness and education to improve diabetes literacy
- Improve navigation for people to better use prevention, detection, care and management resources
- Improve collaboration by providers, insurers and employers to improve patient trust
- Help people prioritize personal health over other life demands
- Improve the connections between people at risk for diabetes and those living with diabetes, caregivers and their communities
FUNDING FOR MyDiabetesHQ
Initially, this project received seed funding through a challenge grant of $100,000 ($50,000 in funds and $50,000 in technical assistance and support) from Novo Nordisk.
MyDiabetes HQ received a grant of $100,000 from Community Health Choice; with support from Reneka App Builders and BLUE LANCE
Additional funding is being sought and necessary to further develop, implement and sustain MyDiabetesHQ.