Mission Statement:

The mission of the Connecticut Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) is to create an environment for change in which a comprehensive system of care and prevention will reduce or delay the onset of diabetes and its complications and enhance the quality of life for people affected by diabetes.

Since 1994, with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CT DPCP has made substantial efforts in providing diabetes awareness to the residents of Connecticut, as well as providing diabetes trainings to health care providers. These efforts are aligned and coordinated with the Ten Essential Public Health Services and the Chronic Care Model.

An estimated 6.2% of the Connecticut adult population or approximately 163,000 adults age 18 years and older have been diagnosed with diabetes (2003-05 data). An additional 70,000 Connecticut adults are estimated to have undiagnosed diabetes. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes cost Connecticut an estimated $1.7 billion in direct and indirect costs in 2003. In 2002, approximately $77 million was billed for hospitalizations due to diabetes as a principal diagnosis and an additional $39 million for diabetes with a lower extremity amputation. For additional statistics see the CT Diabetes Surveillance System Web page. 

• Addressing health disparities by working with community health centers, (CHCs) participating in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Diabetes Collaborative.  DPCP also works with other CHCs and community based organizations that supply healthcare services to disparate populations;
• Increasing the rate of eye exams, foot exams, A1c testing, and influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in accordance with the American Diabetes Association standards of care;
• Maintaining a diabetes surveillance system, see CT Diabetes Surveillance System; and
• Addressing the prevention of diabetes as per the Diabetes Prevention Program.

Connecticut DPCP serves as a convener of the diabetes public health system.  The DPCP works to facilitate the members of the diabetes public health system to examine diabetes issues statewide and to share program successes. Three examples of this include:

• Publishing a quarterly diabetes newsletter, Diabetes Partners in Prevention;
• The publication of Connecticut Diabetes Prevention and Control Plan 2007-2012; and
• Facilitating the Diabetes Review and Update, an annual statewide diabetes conference for health care professionals.

DPH Links:

National Agencies and Organizations:

• American Diabetes Association Website contains diabetes information for consumers and professionals including local Connecticut program information.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website includes basic information on diabetes as well as extensive statistics on the disease.
• Connecticut Department of Education Website contains the Connecticut School Guide for Diabetes.
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Website includes resources for children and families with type 1 diabetes.
• National Diabetes Education Program Website provides a variety of diabetes materials for consumers and professionals. Consumer information is provided in a variety of languages.