On November 10, 2009 the Regional Diabetes Health Disparities Roundtable was held in Houston, Texas. Speakers included:
· Charles Bell, MD, Deputy Executive Commissioner, Health and Human Services Commission who spoke on Diabetes from the State Perspective;
· Victor Gonzalez, MD, Chair of the Texas Diabetes Council who spoke on Diabetes in Texas; and
· Ben Raimer, MD, Chair of the Health Disparities Task Force who spoke on Health Disparities in Texas.
The event also held two panel discussions focusing on children and adults with diabetes.
Dr. Victor Gonzalez pointed out that Texas has a higher prevalence rate than the rest of the US – the US is 8.3%. The prevalence in Texas is 9.7%. The measures include those who are 18 and over and have diabetes Type I or Type II.
Travis Brasher of Watson Wyatt Worldwide spoke on businesses also getting involved in employee wellness. He gave an example of H-E-B which he stated is very proactive and has spent a great deal of resources on data, putting wellness into part of their corporate marketing structure. He notes the company offers multiple incentives to engage in wellness activities. Brasher said that he has not identified a measure or way to illustrate a return on the investment but he hopes other companies will follow suit on wellness initiatives.
The afternoon was concluded with roundtable discussion on policy solutions. The event was supported by Roche Diagnostics and Novo Nordisk. Attendees to the roundtable included various administrators and stakeholders involved in assessing, delivering care to, and educating Texans with diabetes.
More information on the event and future events can be viewed at: http://www.healthpolicyinstitute.org/
