A research team at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center recently launched HEAL Diabetes (Healthy Eating and Active Living to Address Diabetes), a program to determine whether drastic weight loss coupled with a healthy diet can lower blood sugar levels and put diabetes into remission in early-stage diabetes patients in Memphis.
The HEAL Diabetes program encourages participants to eat a mostly plant-based diet that includes vegetables, fruits, lean meats like chicken and fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, and encourages them to lose enough weight to stop taking medications and put diabetes into remission. Recent Research It has been shown that when early-stage diabetes patients lose 30 pounds, approximately half of them achieve long-term diabetes remission. However, many people with diabetes often lack access to healthy eating and the most effective multi-component weight loss programs. The goals of this program are an average weight loss of 22 pounds, diabetes remission in 40% of participants, and a measurable increase in knowledge and self-efficacy beyond baseline measurements.
In collaboration with researchers from the University of Memphis, the HEAL Diabetes team is recruiting 72 people from the Memphis area who are willing to change their eating habits and attend the UTHSC Health Hub regularly to participate in program activities such as cooking classes and check-ins. The program is led by the Tennessee Population Health Consortium at the UT Health Science Center. UnitedHealthcare Health Community Not just an initiative Cash Savers Memphislocal grocery stores.
According to America's Health RankingsTennessee has one of the highest rates of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease in the U.S., due in large part to unhealthy diets, lack of exercise and smoking.
“A healthy diet and regular exercise are the most important things people can do to prevent and treat diabetes. The HEAL Diabetes program is designed to show participants how to make healthy meals delicious and how to change their cooking and eating habits for life,” said Jim Bailey, MD, executive director of the Tennessee Population Health Consortium and principal investigator of HEAL Diabetes. Dr. Bailey also serves as director of the School of Medicine's Center for Health Systems Improvement and is the Robert S. Pierce Endowed Professor of Internal Medicine at the UT Health Science Center.
“UnitedHealthcare is excited about this partnership and our collaboration with the UT Health Science Center and the Tennessee Population Health Consortium with our shared vision of making Memphis healthier and more equitable,” said Lauren Montwill, vice president of health equity and community impact for UnitedHealth Group, parent company of UnitedHealthcare. “The community-based approach of the HEAL Diabetes Center and UTHSC Health Hub will ensure that the services provided are where they are most needed in the community.”
Alexandria Boykins, MA, MPH, serves as the Director of the HEAL Diabetes Project, Susie L. Suttle, MPH, MSW, LMSW, and Colbie Andrews serve as lead health coaches, and Satya Surbhi, PhD, serves as lead evaluator. Additionally, Tracy Bruen, DCN, RDN, LDN, Director of the University of Memphis Clinical Nutrition Graduate Program, and Melissa Petersen, BA, Kitchen Operations Manager for the University of Memphis Tiger Food Lab, will lead nutrition and cooking classes.
The Tennessee Population Health Consortium is committed to improving the health of all Tennesseans through the efforts of HEAL Diabetes, as well as the Tennessee Heart Health Network and Neighborhood Health Hubs. This work is part of the UT Health Science Center's commitment to improving the health of all Tennesseans and aligns with the university's vision of “Healthy Tennesseans. Vibrant Communities.”
Please see below for details. www.uthsc.edu/research/populationhealth.