Baylor Scott & White Health – Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute at the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center

What is it?

The Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute (DHWI) seeks to improve the management of diabetes and other chronic diseases and improve overall health and wellness outcomes in a vulnerable, underserved population. Through this public-private partnership between Baylor Scott & White Health-North Texas, the City of Dallas and a southern Dallas community, success has been achieved through a comprehensive approach to disease management and prevention by providing an entire community direct access to clinical services, a recreation facility, diabetes and health education, cooking classes and counseling. The DHWI’s health equity improvement model decreases the burden of diabetes within a targeted low-income, high-risk community to reduce utilization of emergency departments (EDs), preventable hospitalizations, premature mortality and loss of productive years of life.

Who is it for?

Residents of southern Dallas, many of whom are underserved with little access to resources to help them prevent the onset of diabetes and to help those with diabetes avoid complications of the disease with proper management of blood glucose, blood pressure and lipids.

Why do they do it?

Residents of southern Dallas represent 42 percent of the city’s population. Baylor Health Care System (prior to the merger with Scott & White Healthcare) acknowledged the rising need for care in southern Dallas, where there are more health disparities and residents struggling economically compared with the rest of Dallas County.

Impact

More than 5,500 community members have participated directly in DHWI programs. In a study completed in May 2015, DHWI was able to demonstrate 17.3% fewer ED visits on average for participants enrolled in DHWI programs. DHWI participants also had 37.5 percent fewer inpatient admissions to the hospital for their illness. Of those who were admitted, their cost of care was about 50 percent less. As of July 31, 2015, 40 percent of the DHWI’s members who have diabetes have achieved the optimal A1C (blood sugar level) of less than 7 percent. Additionally, 67 percent have achieved optimal blood pressure control, and 65 percent have achieved an optimal LDL cholesterol level.

Contact: Andrea Hayes
Marketing & Events Coordinator, DHWI
Telephone: 214-915-3217
Email: andrea.hayes@bswhealth.org