State & FederalMedicaidApril 1, 2021

April – Defeat diabetes month

April is National Defeat Diabetes month. One way we can reach this goal is to understand and address how adverse childhood events (ACEs) — or events prior to the age of 18 that lead to toxic stress — affect the prevalence of and how patients deal with their diabetes. Data shows that 62% of Californians have experienced at least one ACE in the form of abuse, neglect or household dysfunction; 16% have experienced four or more in their childhood. Research has shown that people with four or more ACEs are 1.4 times as likely to have diabetes, as well as be less treatment-compliant. Those with a higher ACEs score are also at higher risk for 9 of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States. This is why the California Surgeon General has made it a priority to start screening for ACEs during regular doctor appointments for both adults and children and then connecting identified Californians with the proper resources to lower their level of risk. The screenings and two-hour training, including two CME or MOC credits, are all provided online for free. Once this training is completed, Medi-Cal Managed Care providers can be reimbursed for each screening done and can help their patients live longer, healthier lives. For more information, check out https://www.acesaware.org.