CVS Health Foundation Grants the American Diabetes Association $2.6 Million to Expand Maternal Diabetes Program Across Two Additional NYC Communities

Core Insights - CVS Health Foundation has granted $2.6 million to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to expand its maternal health initiative in New York City, building on 18 months of successful outcomes in improving gestational diabetes screening and care coordination [1][2] Group 1: Program Expansion - The initiative will expand to two additional communities in New York City, aiming to support more families during the prenatal and postpartum journey [6] - The program will enhance electronic medical records (EMR) dashboards to streamline referrals among healthcare providers, ensuring seamless care transitions [6] - Increased access to advanced diabetes technology, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), will be provided, along with medically tailored meals to address food insecurity [6] Group 2: Health Statistics and Impact - At Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, over 20% of patients have diabetes, with 56% having an A1C above 9%, indicating poor blood sugar control [3] - Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects up to 9% of pregnancies nationwide, with rates in New York City rising from 6% in 2016 to 8.3% in 2021 [8] - In Bushwick, Brooklyn, 19% of adults have diabetes, and avoidable hospitalizations are 70% higher than the city average [8] Group 3: Patient Support and Education - The program provides multilingual education for patients and community health workers to support healthy pregnancies and postpartum care [7] - Patients like C.H., who was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, have benefited from nutritional workshops and support from community health workers, leading to improved confidence in managing their health [9][10] Group 4: Organizational Background - The CVS Health Foundation focuses on addressing health challenges through collaboration with nonprofit organizations, with a commitment to enhancing health outcomes in various areas, including maternal health and chronic conditions like diabetes [10] - The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a leading health organization dedicated to fighting diabetes and supporting individuals affected by the condition, celebrating 85 years of advocacy and program development [11]