Nutrition and weight status in obesity

Mortality Diabetes Program

Though the number of people with diabetes is rising to epidemic proportions across the nation. It is interesting to note that there is little evidence that the elderly women in Maryland are faced with similar mortality rates to any other group. In fact the number of serious complications reported lack sufficient evidence that this age group has the same rate as other populations. A program to investigate the actual population of elderly women in Maryland with diabetes is being designed to determine the actual data on mortality and the number of older adults that face complications due to illness. This research study, (Health Program Study of Elderly Women with Diabetes), is being developed using data from medical records that indicate serious illnesses that are tied to a diabetic condition. This data will target those subjects diagnosed with diabetes to monitor their lifestyle and mortality expectancy compared with results from other states. The purpose is to learn if there is a higher, lower or comparable expectancy to the Maryland elderly women populations.

Introduction

In understanding the diabetic condition of the elderly women population in Maryland, the following resources will be used. Medical information for members of the elderly women community that report diabetic related illnesses and conditions will be examined. This will assist in finding the number of women that face diabetes who have or have not been diagnosed. Major complications associated with a diabetic condition include blindness, amputation of extremities, cases of stroke, heart disease, and other disorders will help to identify those faced with diabetes. The Medicare records for female citizens over 65 that reported a diabetic claim, that receive benefits of a or B. who were still alive after 2005 will be reviewed. The number of persons who expired with issues related to diabetes can then be deduced to find out what the numbers are compared to other states. This information will be logged and reported to Medicaid, and other agencies such as the Maryland's Women's Health Organization. The length of the study will be approximately two years from the date that the target population was identified at which time records of those that have expired will be reviewed to determine cause of death. It is expected that the numbers will be the comparable in Maryland as those reported for elderly women populations in other areas of the country.

A Health Program Study of Elderly Women with Diabetes is aimed to increase awareness of the symptoms of the condition to women age 65 and over. The hope is to educate

The Women in Maryland from all backgrounds in the public sector, educators, those that have policy making authority, and health care practitioners. The study of health configurations or epidemiology of this program is designed to examine the lifestyle factors that are adopted by the elderly women to manage their healthcare. It is hoped that such a study will reveal any differences of managed care that are present within the Maryland hospitals and clinics that may extend or improve the quality of life for female diabetes patients. The program is designed to capture the process of caring for the elderly women in Maryland populations. Along with recording the mortality of those diagnosed with the illness. The tools to be used include Medicare and all medical insurance records such as Healthcare Managed Organizations, those facing relative hazard status, and use of the standardized mortality ratio to measure a diabetic patient's life expectancy. This information can be used by insurance companies, senior social programs, and government agencies to establish educational services and benefit levels and other factors in paying for and caring for all senior female Maryland residents facing diabetics.

Cultural Diversity

The demographic for the program will be all female races of people age 65 or older who have been diagnosed with diabetes or had symptoms of diabetes. The general area is the state of Maryland. It has been shown that the reason for the missing data may be due to Health disparities related to this disease. Meaning that there are social and economic factors that lead to a disconnect between resources, education, lifestyle and health systems whereby certain populations are not getting the same health care (CDC, 2011).

In Maryland there are a diverse population of people and it appears that the elderly women minorities are not receiving adequate recognition for health care needs.

According to one report for the several Baltimore counties only 7.5% report that doctors have even diagnosed diabetes to residents. This is based on reports from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (CDC, 2011). However under this same study over 22% have been diagnosed with obesity. Obesity is the one of the major health care concerns that lead to diabetes (CDC, 2011). It is possible that diabetes is not being diagnosed though patients have symptoms of the disease. The research on diversity factor for populations with diabetes include minorities, women, Hispanics, American Indians, and Alaska Natives according to CDC data (CDC, 2011). However the specific demographic of the elderly women over 65 have fewer statistics.

The numbers that affect the entire country number for women over 65 are anticipated to rise from 20 million in 1995 to 24 million by 2010. Primarily this indicator is based on women living longer than men by about seven years. Considering that there are twice as many elderly women as men in the U.S. The number of men with diabetes would rise from 10 million in 1995 to approximately 12 million by 2010. Therefore the number of women with diabetes "outnumber elderly men with diabetes in the United States" (CDC, 2011).

For Maryland this number is only 7% of the total population that are even aware that they have the disease.

Of 4.5 million women nationwide at age 60, a full 25% are not aware that they have the diabetes. Of these women the majority have type 2 diabetes (CDC, 1999). From 1980 to the early 1990s these numbers began to grow at a rate of 45% from 97,000 to 181,000.

Other factors of elderly women are that at the age of 65 and older the poverty level is twice that of men in the same age range (CDC, 1999). In fact up to 48% of the women have a yearly income below $10,000. It has been reported by the CDC that Diabetes is a leading precursor to death for women at 65 and above. However there are no specific numbers given for the state of Maryland. Also the mortality rate of African-American

elderly women has doubled with the Mexican-American women rate being four times that of White American women and elderly Mexican-American women have almost four times the rate.

The number of minority (African or Mexican-American) women in the age range of 60-75 report one third as having type 2 diabetes in comparison with 16% of white women. For the Indian-American women the number is 32% over 65 that have the disease. Again these statistics are for the entire population of the United States (CDC, 2011).

Those that have reached their senior age who have diabetes find often that there are serious complications that are associated with the illness. The risk of heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and blindness is accelerated with this condition. In fact elderly women facing diabetes have a higher risk in cataracts or glaucoma, hypoglycemia, hyperglcemia, along with depression.

A major contributor to type 2 diabetes is being overweight to obese and not remaining physically active. The main problems associated with diabetes is an inactive lifestyle. Of the women that have diabetes over 65 years old, a full 70.5% of them are overweight, and 25% are obese at 50% over their desired weight (CDC, 2011).

Health Disparities

The plan is to take advantage of provisions within the new Health Care reform bill that deal directly to health disparities. They are designed to focus on better data collection in regards to women over age 65 and over in terms of distinct populations such as race, ethnic background, and language (Kaiser Fdn, 2010). The Health Care Bill also has provisions directed to address cultural training for medical practitioners within these populations for ensuring the right prognosis is being diagnosed. It is also a proponent of adequate medical coverage being provided to those without it up to this time. The program is also designed to help those female populations that have received the least assistance in terms of Medicaid coverage and ensuring they are enrolled to get the care needed.

This Program will create opportunity through raising awareness so that those in Maryland can take advantage of funding that has been provided.

The disparities surrounding the disconnect of Prevention mechanisms between People of other races that generally "experience higher rates of many chronic conditions, as well as higher death rates from many of these conditions compared to whites" according to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (Kaiser Fdn, 2010). It is also realized that costs of caring for those with the disease is high. Once the numbers come in through the Program study to determine the number of mortalities faced by senior women over 65, there are provisions within the Health Care Reform Bill to provide funding to expand preventative programs to minority sectors. Some of the funding is to come from a national prevention trust fund (Kaiser Fdn, 2010). However there are additional funding resources for the near-term that are readily assessable.

Social Justice

The National Secretary of Health has been called on to launch a national quality plan designed to address the issue of social injustice and improve the level of service to every state. Specific to this program are the rates for Maryland in tracking the mortality rates of all with diabetes. Including the elderly women and minority women with the specific indicators to track and monitor being race and gender. This will go along way in finally getting a better idea of what the numbers in Maryland for diabetes mortality.

Understanding that elderly women and older minority women in particular are retired and have little income or are unemployed (Mitchell et al., 1994). Therefore their income is even lower than their non-Hispanic whites. The new social program of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is designed to aid those in this demographic (Kaiser Fdn, 2010). Since minority elderly women tend to rely on government and social program for their health care, the additional provisions provided through the Health Care Reform bill will improve the level of service when funding is increased. It will most likely have a significant impact on the number of women that are to receive better care and access to better resources and medical assistance including preventative programs.

Plan

Health Program Study of Elderly Women with Diabetes

First data will be collected and documented based on research for selected demographic, using the best practices. In addition all available government and state resources, and known information on elderly women with diabetes including elderly minority women facing disparities in care.

The program will require strategic planning and outreach to those targeted for the study primarily in the counties of Alleghany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George, Queen Anne, Somerset, St. Marys, Talbot, Washington, Worchester, and Wicomico. Other counties will be added once these have been completed. Plans will be customized to meet each demographic within the county as related to educating the target subject.

The task of followup with all women health advocate groups across the state to get participation and provide findings.

Generate educational audio, video, radio, television, and print media materials in the senior living centers, senior housing centers, senior medical centers, and senior activity centers throughout Maryland. So that the symptoms and health care options are communicated to those that need assistance.

Develop partnerships and cooperative relations with local community centers, libraries, public venues such as fairs, screenings, community events, and senior related events to provide educational materials. Some organizations include the Maryland Women's Commission, the Maryland's Office on Women's Health.

Finances

The cost of caring for those with Diabetes is one of the greatest of all Health Care expenditures. It is a full 10% of health care expenses since 2002. An estimate of over $100 billion was given in the late 90s and that has nearly doubled as of 2010. The amounts necessary to treat those with the condition is at $66 billion alone (Maryland.gov, 2011). This program is expected to continue for at least two years in order to have accurate information and to ensure the information is thoroughly disseminated throughout the state of Maryland.

In terms of funding this program, the money will be provided by a coalition of women advocacy groups, senior charitable service organizations, and donations from medical centers and hospitals seeking to contribute to meet corporate governance and ethical requirements in terms of helping the community.