Chronic Disease Prevention

The mission of the Office of Chronic Disease Prevention is to improve the health of Maryland residents by promoting healthy lifestyles that will reduce chronic disease and by partnering with stakeholders in these efforts.The Division houses four program areas and three federal grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

The Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHHS-BG) Program

The Block Grant provides funding for the majority of work done by the Chronic Disease Prevention Division (CDPD). This grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) enables Maryland communities to choose priorities and activities to address Healthy People 2010 objectives related to several chronic diseases.  The majority of Block Grant funding is used for chronic disease prevention, though some funds are provided by other Centers and Divisions to address oral health, injury prevention, and sexual assault prevention.

Program Highlights:

  • During the fiscal year 2007 (7/2006-6/2007), 10,052 State residents participated in blood pressure screening and monitoring programs, with 27% having elevated readings above 140/90 mmHg.  Of those, 25% were able to decrease their blood pressure through healthier lifestyle choices and medication compliance.
  • During fiscal year 2007, 147 Maryland residents received diabetes self management education, and 333 residents were screened for diabetes risk and referred to a physician for follow up.
  • Five PHHS funded programs were featured in success story exhibits at the Healthy Active Maryland: Practice Approaches to Address Obesity symposium in June 2007 in Baltimore, MD.  Three PHHS funded programs were presented at roundtable sessions during the symposium.

Diabetes Prevention and Control Program

The Maryland Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) was established in September of 1985 with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The DPCP has been successful in applying for and receiving additional capacity building funding from the CDC each year since 1985.  The primary goals of the program are to prevent or delay the development of diabetes among those at risk for the disease and to prevent complications in people with diagnosed diabetes.  These goals are consistent with the National Diabetes Prevention and Control Program objectives outlined by the CDC as well as those in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2010 goals.

The mission of the Maryland Diabetes Prevention and Control Program is to reduce the medical, financial and personal impact of diabetes on the citizens of Maryland by working through a model of influence with other organizations and professionals.  The DPCP does not provide direct patient care services.

How we accomplish our mission:

  • Collaborate with other organizations and individuals to increase awareness of the seriousness of diabetes.  Plan and implement annual awareness activities with measurable outcomes for “Diabetes Month” (November, 2007) and Diabetes “Alert” Month, (March, 2008). 
  • Awarded seven implementation grants to community-based coalitions to conduct activities designed to increase the number of people with diabetes that get the recommended care for the purpose of preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes complications, especially in disparate populations.
  • Disseminate information monthly through a communications network to inform decision-making among more than 300 diabetes stakeholders.  Mailings span a variety of related topics including patient education tools and material, updates on diabetes management, and continuing education opportunities.
  • Collect data to define the burden of diabetes in Maryland.  Data sheets are available and updated every 1-2 years as data allows, to describe the prevalence, morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes.
  • Partner with health care professionals to improve the delivery of care to those with diabetes for better health outcomes.  Funds from the DPCP are used to develop educational programs to enhance the skills of providers in the medical management of diabetes.
  • Consult and participate with the Maryland Coalition to Control Diabetes.  This group of stakeholders has come together to identify gaps in diabetes care services.  They have developed a strategic plan with specific goals and objectives to eliminate the disparities in health outcomes among the people of Maryland.

The Maryland Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program

The Maryland Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (HDSP) Program is funded by a four year cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The primary goals of the grant are to:

  • Address control of high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol in adults and older adults
  • Increase knowledge of signs and symptoms for heart disease and stroke and the importance of calling 9-1-1
  • Improve emergency response
  • Improve quality of heart disease and stroke care
  • Eliminate health disparities
  • Focus on the health care and worksite settings

Activities of the program include partnership development, defining and monitoring the burden of heart disease and stroke in Maryland, developing a comprehensive State Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and Care Plan, and pilot testing interventions. The program works closely with partners such as the Maryland Heart Disease and Stroke Council, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Maryland Stroke Alliance, and the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems.

Program Highlights:

  • The HDSP program received a capacity building grant from CDC during fiscal year 2009 and is in the process of developing the state's Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and Care Plan.
  • During Stroke Awareness Month in May 2009 the program partnered with the American Stroke Association and MIEMSS to host a 9-1-1 media awareness campaign around the importance of calling 9-1-1 at the first symptom of Stroke. The "Brain Attack" campaign ran on MTA buses, metro and light rail and on Comcast.
  • The 2009 Maryland Stroke Fact sheet was updated in June 2009 and disseminated to partners in the American Stroke Association and Maryland Stroke Alliance. This document contains data on morbidity, mortality, risk factors, and disparities association with stroke in Maryland.
  • In fiscal year 2010 the program received funding for a demonstration project in controlling high blood pressure and blood cholesterol through worksite populations in Kent County, Maryland.

 Nutrition and Physical Activity/Obesity Prevention Program

The Nutrition and Physical Activity/Obesity Prevention (NPA) Program is funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The program’s mission is to prolong and improve the quality of life of Maryland citizens through healthy eating, increased physical activity, and weight management. The goals of the program are to decrease the levels of obesity or reduce the rate of growth of obesity in Maryland’s communities through interventions; and to increase the number of community and state policies, environmental support and legislative actions planned, initiated, and modified for the prevention and control of obesity. 

The Nutrition and Physical Activity/Obesity Prevention Program is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the activities of the Maryland Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan published in 2006.

Program Highlights:

  • The NPA program provided mini-grants to six local health departments during fiscal 2007 to conduct 19 worksite wellness interventions across the state.
  • During fiscal year 2008, seven local health departments will receive mini-grants to conduct worksite wellness activities in their communities.
  • The Nutrition and Physical Activity/Obesity Prevention Program, along with approximately 30 partnering organizations, sponsored a one day Symposium highlighting programs and interventions being conducted by partners addressing obesity prevention across the state.

Councils and Coalitions

The OCDP works with several state councils and coalitions:

Staff for the Chronic Disease Prevention Division

Dr. Maria Prince, Medical Director
mprince@dhmh.state.md.us

Office of Chronic Disease Prevention
201 W. Preston Street, Room 306
Baltimore MD 21201
410-767-5780