BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation launched Diabetes Free SC, an ambitious, long-term multi-million dollar, statewide initiative dedicated to addressing disparities in care in several strategic areas including improved pregnancy outcomes in women with diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), more than 500,000 adults in the state have diagnosed diabetes while an additional 120,000 are unaware that they have the disease. African-Americans have a two times higher death rate from the disease than white adults.
According to David Pankau, president and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, this effort reflects the organization’s commitment to improving the health of South Carolina communities. He said, “We have a long history of ensuring access to care through the work of the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation. We understand that our organization can play a meaningful role in reducing disparities of care for the people of South Carolina. And, even as we build upon the good work already being done, our efforts to address disparities and assist in overcoming barriers to care continue to develop and mature. We are putting a stake in the ground with our commitment.”
Additional Facts:
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26,000 people in South Carolina will be diagnosed this year with diabetes.
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Nearly 35% of the state’s adult population has prediabetes.
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In addition to pregnancy, diabetes is also a significant factor in other conditions including kidney and cardiovascular disease, which disproportionately affects African-Americans.
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Goals of the program also include reduced lifelong risk of diabetes in children; and the prevention of diabetes and its complications in adults.
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The annual cost of care for adult South Carolinians with diagnosed diabetes is estimated at $5.89 billion (2017)
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.