National Health Index (NHI) and n4a Win Sanofi US 2012 Data Design Diabetes Innovation Challenge
press releases Thursday, September 27th, 2012Diabetes care centers in underutilizing communities, as powered by the NHI, prove to be winning concept
WASHINGTON, DC: The National Health Index (NHI) and National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) collaborated to win the Sanofi US 2012 Data Design Diabetes Innovation Challenge, www.datadesigndiabetes.com. Earlier this week, they received $100,000 to develop their program, which calls for the establishment of diabetes care centers, powered by the novel NHI database that crystallizes how disease prevalence, consumption patterns, costs, and outcomes affect our healthcare system within specific geographical areas. NHI’s predictive capacity allows providers to identify where emerging gaps between healthcare consumers, healthcare resources, and outcomes exist.
Given the current diabetes epidemic and the aging population in the United States, providing these target groups with appropriate intervention at local diabetes care centers will result in improved healthcare and reduced spending associated with diabetes.
Judges representing a who’s who of healthcare and technology experts selected the winning team based on ideas that are expected to improve the quality, delivery, and cost of care.
“n4a Diabetes Care Center’s predictive analysis system takes a very different approach to diabetes care, with big data that measure tangible, real life improvements in outcomes,” said Dennis Urbaniak, Vice President, Head of U.S. Diabetes, Sanofi US and Data Design Diabetes Innovation Challenge judge. “The team’s solution embraces the values of the Innovation Challenge, demonstrating the capacity to improve the lives of millions of Americans living with diabetes.”
“We are extremely honored to be recognized by Sanofi US and its Innovation Challenge panel of judges for this prestigious award,” says National Minority Quality Forum (www.nmqf.org) CEO, Gary Puckrein, PhD. “With the National Health Index, we now have the ability to deliver targeted, evidence-based, personalized, disease management to those living with diabetes, particularly older people who are more susceptible to potential complications associated with diabetes.”
Diabetes is a health crisis in the U.S. and underutilization of diabetes medical products and services is a growing national problem. According to data from the National Health Index, more than half of people living with diabetes have not seen their doctor at least once over a 12-month period for their diabetes.
“We are confident that a pilot program introducing strategically-placed diabetes care centers will yield important results; with the potential for establishing a model for improving diabetes outcomes and lowering costs,” notes Gary Puckrein. “We welcome a partnership of industry, healthcare providers, and patient-advocacy groups to validate this concept and make a real difference in communities across the country.”
About the National Health Index
The National Health Index, a wholly–owned subsidiary of the National Minority Quality Forum (www.nmqf.org) has developed the most comprehensive storehouse of healthcare information at the ZIP code level. The NHI data repository enables users to compare and contrast the impact that specific diseases are having for any population as defined by race/ethnicity, age, and gender. Childhood obesity, diabetes, heart disease, various cancers, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, the “super bug” MRSA, and other common and rare chronic diseases comprise the NHI repository.
About n4a
n4a, www.n4a.org, is the national membership association that represents and serves the local leaders in aging—nearly 900 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and the Title VI Native American aging programs. This network of AAAs and Title VI aging programs, along with over 17,000 local aging service providers, manage more than four billion dollars in programs and services annually for more than 40 million people age 60 and older. n4a and its members provide the programs and services that enable older adults to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
