Building a Statewide Diabetes Information Highway

Objective:Access to state specific diabetes services and resources has not been readily accessible to KY citizens with diabetes or health care providers.  The development of an online, publically accessible, state specific, diabetes website which could be easily updated by KY providers was needed.

Methods:In cooperation with state information technology leadership, a web based, state specific, diabetes information highway was designed.  Tools were developed to collect KY diabetes resource data (such as diabetes self management class offerings, medical nutrition therapy services, endocrinology services, diabetes support groups and diabetes coalitions) from hospitals, health departments, endocrinologists, and diabetes educator chapters.  Collected data was entered into the KY diabetes resource directory.   

Results:A web based diabetes resource directory has been built and populated with information received.  The KY diabetes information highway can be easily updated by KY providers, allows searching for services / resources by county (and adjacent counties), has user friendly printing capabilities and can be monitored for number of persons accessing information from the site.      

Conclusion:Up to date, state specific, diabetes resources are now readily available to KY citizens and health care providers.  Future plans include:  disseminating site access information, monitoring site for number of contacts / number of KY resources in various categories, inclusion of diabetes resource information from bordering states as well as incorporating other needed information such as free clinics, medication assistance programs, etc.