In the Annals of Family Medicine, Leaders Make Case for Additional Primary Care Resources to Help Address Lagging Health Outcomes for People with Diabetes
In a new article published in the Annals of Family Medicine, leaders from the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) argue for policy reforms to increase resources for primary care providers and drive better health outcomes for people with diabetes. Today, the vast majority of those with diabetes receive care in primary care settings—from physician offices to community health centers, from clinics to pharmacies. The paper’s authors argue that glycemic and blood pressure management is getting worse among diabetes patients nationally, and that the U.S. can improve outcomes for the majority of individuals who are not meeting blood glucose (blood sugar) and cholesterol targets by empowering primary care providers to manage the complex care of the growing diabetes population.
Key policy opportunities highlighted in the paper to improve patient outcomes include:
- Integrating the Chronic Care Model and patient-centered medical home to improve diabetes management and care coordination in primary care settings.
- Expanding medical education and workforce development initiatives to address primary care shortages, including funding for graduate medical education programs.
- Reforming reimbursement policies to incentivize team-based care and ensure equitable access to essential diabetes management tools.
- Prioritizing preventive care and addressing disparities in diabetes care through comprehensive, culturally appropriate interventions.
The paper follows on the heels of the ADA's groundbreaking national Policy Roundtable on Diabetes and Primary Care, where a diverse group of primary care stakeholders—leading health care professional organizations, advocates for impacted populations, non-governmental organizations, and policymakers—discussed ways to leverage national policy to overcome ongoing challenges facing primary care providers and patients.
The ADA expects to launch a new advocacy consortium on primary care to improve the lives of people with diabetes and its comorbidities in early 2025. This new consortium will be complementary to the ADA’s Primary Care Alliance which launched in 2024. It comprises our partner networks and organizations and provides opportunities for primary care professionals to engage in joint research projects, quality improvement, and educational activities.
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About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to end diabetes and helping people thrive. For 84 years, the ADA has driven discovery and research to prevent, manage, treat, and ultimately cure diabetes. There are 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Through advocacy, program development, and education, we’re fighting for them all. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
