‘It might be the largest health crisis that we’re facing in the state of Nebraska’: New UNMC program aims to tackle diabetes in rural areas – KETV…

The University of Nebraska Medical Center has a new program, "On Track: Transforming Rural Diabetes Care and Education."The Diabetes Care Foundation of Nebraska pledged $7 million to fund it. Dr. Stephen Mohring is one of the physicians leading the 'On Track' program. He said diabetes affects 1 in 10 Nebraskans. Health experts say it's a disease that's already hard to prevent and treat. It can be even more difficult for rural areas.Nineteen-year-old Mollie Kubicka was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 2 years old."I'm actually going into nursing and my goal is to become a diabetes care and education specialist just because of everything that I've learned throughout my time as a diabetic, all the amazing people I've met," she said. "I've been on an insulin pump for almost 16 years now. I'm on a continuous glucose monitor."The native of Juniata near Hastings, Nebraska, said accessing diabetes care isn't always easy. "A lot of my diabetes care-- the clinics I go to, the hospitals I go to, have been moved to the Eastern part of the state. Bigger cities like Lincoln and Omaha," Kubicka said.And while Kubicka does end up getting the treatment she needs, UNMC says that's not the case for many other Nebraskans in rural areas. "One of the challenges in treating diabetes in rural communities is lack of resources," Mohring said. "I think that improving diabetes and pre-diabetes care is an extremely large challenge. It might be the largest health crisis that we're facing in the state of Nebraska."Mohring said pre-diabetes is when your body shows signs your pancreas isn't producing as much insulin as it's supposed to, or when your body rejects the insulin your pancreas produces. "By placing additional resources within the clinics and partnering with local communities, we can improve access to those vital resources that are so critical in treating Diabetes," Mohring said.He said medication alone can't treat and prevent the disease.He points to a "Lack of access to behavioral health or social work services or even food insecurity."UNMC will partner with clinics in rural areas to hire more staff that can help address those issues and educate people on helpful lifestyle changes."It's really (about) improving lifestyle and access to things like walking trails, or fitness classes or nutrition classes even," Mohring said.For three years, UNMC will focus on the cities of Hastings and Wayne. Then, physicians hope to expand their efforts across the state."We're studying data and aggregating the data across those two communities through all of their health clinics and health systems as well as the health department," Mohring said.As for Kubicka, she hopes others can also learn how to live alongside Diabetes without letting it take over their lives. She said this program is a step in that direction."I think that it will definitely make a huge difference for people in these rural communities," Kubicka said.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center has a new program, "On Track: Transforming Rural Diabetes Care and Education."

The Diabetes Care Foundation of Nebraska pledged $7 million to fund it.

Dr. Stephen Mohring is one of the physicians leading the 'On Track' program. He said diabetes affects 1 in 10 Nebraskans. Health experts say it's a disease that's already hard to prevent and treat. It can be even more difficult for rural areas.

Nineteen-year-old Mollie Kubicka was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 2 years old.

"I'm actually going into nursing and my goal is to become a diabetes care and education specialist just because of everything that I've learned throughout my time as a diabetic, all the amazing people I've met," she said. "I've been on an insulin pump for almost 16 years now. I'm on a continuous glucose monitor."

The native of Juniata near Hastings, Nebraska, said accessing diabetes care isn't always easy.

"A lot of my diabetes care-- the clinics I go to, the hospitals I go to, have been moved to the Eastern part of the state. Bigger cities like Lincoln and Omaha," Kubicka said.

And while Kubicka does end up getting the treatment she needs, UNMC says that's not the case for many other Nebraskans in rural areas.

"One of the challenges in treating diabetes in rural communities is lack of resources," Mohring said. "I think that improving diabetes and pre-diabetes care is an extremely large challenge. It might be the largest health crisis that we're facing in the state of Nebraska."

Mohring said pre-diabetes is when your body shows signs your pancreas isn't producing as much insulin as it's supposed to, or when your body rejects the insulin your pancreas produces.

"By placing additional resources within the clinics and partnering with local communities, we can improve access to those vital resources that are so critical in treating Diabetes," Mohring said.

He said medication alone can't treat and prevent the disease.

He points to a "Lack of access to behavioral health or social work services or even food insecurity."

UNMC will partner with clinics in rural areas to hire more staff that can help address those issues and educate people on helpful lifestyle changes.

"It's really (about) improving lifestyle and access to things like walking trails, or fitness classes or nutrition classes even," Mohring said.

For three years, UNMC will focus on the cities of Hastings and Wayne. Then, physicians hope to expand their efforts across the state.

"We're studying data and aggregating the data across those two communities through all of their health clinics and health systems as well as the health department," Mohring said.

As for Kubicka, she hopes others can also learn how to live alongside Diabetes without letting it take over their lives. She said this program is a step in that direction.

"I think that it will definitely make a huge difference for people in these rural communities," Kubicka said.

Visit link:
'It might be the largest health crisis that we're facing in the state of Nebraska': New UNMC program aims to tackle diabetes in rural areas - KETV...