By Lauren Carr
Strategic Manager, Policy & Government Affairs
On February 1, the New York City Council held an Oversight Hearing on “NYC’s Efforts to Address the Growing Diabetes Epidemic.”
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EmblemHealth testifies at NYC Council hearing on commitment to addressing the diabetes epidemic
On Feb. 1, the New York City Council held an Oversight Hearing on “NYC’s Efforts to Address the Growing Diabetes Epidemic.”
02/07/2023
In her opening remarks, Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Committee on Health, noted that “diabetes kills more than AIDS and breast cancer combined” and called for the City to take immediate action. Council Member Schulman previously partnered with EmblemHealth and provided remarks at our virtual educational webinar on managing and preventing diabetes (60:15) on November 17, 2022. See full video to the right.
Equity was a key theme that emerged in the hearing and there was a focus on emphasizing prevention, particularly for communities of color and those at highest risk. There was also a focus on increasing food access, promoting healthy lifestyle choices, increasing early screenings, and reversing prediabetes.
EmblemHealth provided testimony among other organizations including the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, The Association of Senegalese in America, and Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York.
Erin Reddan, Regional Manager, Neighborhood Care, testified on behalf of our enterprise in support of the City Council’s actions to address the diabetes epidemic. She highlighted the many ways we serve individuals, members, and communities who are at heightened risk of diabetes, including Hispanic, Black, and Asian New Yorkers, as well as communities with the highest levels of poverty.
Erin highlighted our offerings at EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care, including nutrition classes, fitness and wellness classes, connection to healthy food, and programming tailored specifically to the prevention and self-management of diabetes. She emphasized that our teams at AdvantageCare Physicians and Neighborhood Care provide holistic care and represent the communities we serve, providing linguistically and culturally competent care, including in many designated Medically Underserved Areas.
Erin also highlighted the work underway at EmblemHealth through our comprehensive care management and quality improvement programs, highlighting the 2023 provider equity incentive for Diabetes A1C Control to incentivize a reduction in racial disparities for Black members. She also emphasized that our accredited A1Chieve program helps members with Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes to manage their condition, with support by registered dietitians and nurses who are certified diabetes care and education specialists.
Combatting the diabetes epidemic requires a coordinated effort to ensure that all communities, especially the most vulnerable, have access to education, screenings, treatment, and support. We will continue to look for ways to be a constructive partner to the City Council, and to highlight all of the commendable work underway across our enterprise to keep New York City healthy.