Health equity advocates are cheering the announcement by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Elevance Health Foundation that they have partnered on a broad initiative to improve health equity, with a focus on individuals with type 2 diabetes residing in underserved communities in several states, including Indiana, New York, Ohio and Virginia. The collaboration has launched a revamped, nine-week What Can I Eat? (WCIE) program, which is free of charge and is designed to target the social determinants of health that contribute to type 2 diabetes.
In the United States, over 30 million individuals suffer from type 2 diabetes. However, Black and Hispanic communities are disproportionately affected due, in part, to their lack of access to wholesome foods and higher incidence of chronic diseases associated with dietary habits.
Throughout the program, participants will be provided with resources designed to improve their overall health and wellbeing, including facilitated support, healthy incentives, educational modules, and free nutritious food. The program will be available in-person and virtually to accommodate COVID-19 safety concerns and to make the initiative more accessible by a wider universe of potential participants.
The ADA-Elevance partnership also will be supported by digital health firm Bento, which will be responsible for technical design and implementation.
This unique initiative aims to tackle the healthcare inequality responsible for the disproportionate impact and effects of type 2 diabetes on historically marginalized and under-resourced communities.
