July 20, 2012 | WASHINGTON D.C.

National Health Index (NHI) and n4a Win Sanofi US 2012 Data Design Diabetes Innovation Challenge 

Diabetes care centers in underutilizing communities, as powered by the NHI, prove to be winning concept

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 Forum

The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, non-partisan, independent research and education organization. The vision of NMQF is a health services research, delivery and financing system that provides quality and effective health services to the biodiverse American general population of the 21st century. NMQF helps assure that national and local quality improvement initiatives are informed by scientific evidence, and place a priority on the quality of care and patient outcomes in all populations.

Media Contact

Gretchen C. Wartman, VP Policy and Program

gwartman@nmqf.org | 202.223.7560