Diabetes study in black churches

Thirteen percent of people in Georgia have diabetes. Several of those don’t even know they have it. And in the African-American community, the numbers are even worse. But the Mercer University School of Medicine hopes to make big dent in those numbers. The Mercer University School of Medicine will use a 3-million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to partner with local African-American Churches and the Medical Center of Central Georgia.

The community partnership will allow them to identify people at risk for diabetes in local churches. Dr. John Bolstri is one of the researchers. He says they have been using a similar program since 2004 and it seems to be very effective.

“Basically we tracked blood sugar and blood pressure and weight for a year. And what we found was in all our churches that partnered with us the average blood pressure and blood sugar and weight all decreased after the end of the program.”

Bolstri says researchers discovered churches are a great way to reach people who do not make regular visits to the doctor or get health screenings.

Boost for ailing minority health care

Minority health care in several southwest Georgia counties gets failing marks according to a new report. The 2008 Health Disparities Report (.pdf download) says that while racial and ethnic minorities make up about a third of Georgia's population, they are much more likely to have health problems.

The Office of Minority Health, which put out the report is working to equalize health care access for minority and non-minority populations in Georgia.

Kristal Ammons of the Department of Community Health says Muscogee County's grade was among the lowest statewide:

“...particularly in the overall report card -- they received a grade of 'F' for prenatal care and maternal health outcomes.”

Representatives met with local officials in Columbus on Thursday to discuss ways of improving minority health care.

Ammons says a matrix of poor education, poverty and economic hardship are a big part of the problem, but adds that many other counties received higher ratings.

The group plans to distribute $1.5 million in improvement grants statewide. The funds will also cover other health issues including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.

The group plans to set up coalitions with local officials and health care providers in Fort Valley, Valdosta and Brunswick, among others statewide.

Click here for more GPB coverage of health issues in Georgia.