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MUSC, local groups want to eliminate health disparities for blacks Local groups dedicated to eliminating high rates of amputation, and decreasing risk of hypertension and stroke associated with diabetes received $4.25 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish the South Eastern African-American Center of Excellence to Eliminate Disparities (SEA-CEED).   SEA-CEED, a regional and national initiative, has the potential to reach 1.75 million African-Americans (approximately 300,000 with diabetes) and decrease risks of hypertension, stroke and amputations.   MUSC College of Nursing’s (CON) REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) Charleston program, in collaboration with the Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, local agencies, provider groups, and community organizations, will serve as one of 18 centers in the U.S. The centers are dedicated to providing blacks with better education for those at risk for diabetes and resources to eliminate barriers to quality health care for patients with diabetes. The five-year grant will support efforts to address and overcome the unique causes of health disparities related to diabetes in 121 counties in South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina.   Locally, the CDC funding benefits residents in Charleston and Georgetown counties and will expand to counties in the tri-state region. Carolyn Jenkins, Dr.PH, CON professor and Ann Darlington Edwards endowed chair, has been recognized nationally for her efforts to improve diabetes outcomes in Charleston and Georgetown counties.   “We are extremely pleased to receive this funding and to continue the great work accomplished with our communities and to share our efforts with other communities,” she said. “Through the Diabetes Initiative and the College of Nursing, we have been working with local communities since 1994 to improve care for people with diabetes and to decrease amputations.”   Jenkins emphasized that building successful community partnerships and ownership are essential to reaching goals set by the group. Seed grants will encourage community groups to implement novel programs, while working collaboratively with SEA-CEED investigators.   “This program reflects the essence of building healthy communities,” said Gail Stuart, Ph.D., College of Nursing dean. “The greatest impact in health care will come from translating what we know about health so that it changes the lives of people and the places in which they live, work and play.”   Nationally, the awards are funded through CDC’s REACH U.S. program, and target five racial and ethnic groups: African-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asian-Americans, Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, and American Indians/Alaska natives. REACH U.S. activities focus on a range of key health areas that contribute to health disparities, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, breast and cervical cancer, hepatitis B, asthma, infant mortality and adult immunizations.   “We are extremely excited about the new REACH award recipients because they offer a plethora of knowledge in addressing health disparities, and their innovative approaches will help improve people’s health in our communities, health care settings, schools, and work sites,” said Janet Collins, Ph.D., CDC National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion director.   Through the REACH U.S. initiative,18 national and regional Centers of Excellence in the Elimination of Disparities (CEEDs) and 22 action communities will be established throughout the country. The CEEDs will serve as national resource centers with expertise in specific ethnic populations and will train additional communities to further spread the impact of REACH activities. The action communities will implement and evaluate successful approaches within a specific community to impact population groups and focus on key health conditions that contribute to health disparities.   To learn more about REACH Charleston and Georgetown Diabetes Coalition, visit http://reach.musc.edu/ or call 792-5872.     Friday, November 1, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.