Scholar Info

Lisa Staten

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences Center for Health Engagement and Equity Research (CHEER), Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
ude[dot]ui[at]netatskl

Diabetes Impact Project - Indianapolis Neighborhoods

The Diabetes Impact Project - Indianapolis Neighborhoods (DIP-IN) is an eight year project funded by Eli Lilly and Company focused on reducing the burden of diabetes in three communities within the city limits of Indianapolis, Indiana. Most residents of these three Indianapolis target neighborhoods have income and racial/ethnic minority status associated with high risk for diabetes and its severe complications. DIP-IN tackles the community burden of diabetes by addressing diabetes prevention and control. It includes addressing everyday living conditions and health behaviors of those who are at risk of developing diabetes to those who are already experiencing complications from uncontrolled diabetes. When approaching preventing diabetes, we are using a collective impact model that emphasizes multiple stakeholders working toward a common agenda through mutually reinforcing activities. Stakeholders include community residents that constitute three resident steering committees as well as diverse organizational partners. Through our experiences with the project thus far, we have identified key ways in which we can amplify the impact of DIP-IN toward lasting change and longer, healthier lives in all these communities. DIP-IN has four primary aims:•Foster an environment (physical and social) that supports greater health and wellbeing for all residents (primary prevention);•Increase awareness of risk factors for diabetes and encourage people at high risk to be screened (secondary prevention); Improve access to care and continuity of care for people living with diabetes (tertiary prevention); and Increase community capacity to lead DIP-IN initiatives through a focus on civic engagement and enhanced community leadership. Our interventions are focused on utilizing a combination of evidence-based practices with generating new knowledge. For example, we utilize evidence-based practices such as community health worker interventions for improving diabetes control. For primary prevention, we base interventions on evidence-based practice and adapt for local appropriateness and appeal. Our project is cross disciplinary and incorporates faculty from multiple disciplines in public health, school of medicine, and the Polis Center. We also have key partnerships with Eskenazi Health, LISC, Marion County Public Health Department, Regenstrief, Alliance for Northeast Unification, Flanner House, Christamore House, and many other local organizations. Our collective goal is to improve quality of life in all three communities.