UNITED HEALTH FOUNDATION AWARDS $3 MILLION TO HISPANIC FEDERATION TO REDUCE IMPACT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES ON THE LATINO COMMUNITY
For Immediate Release: November 2, 2023
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
NATIONWIDE - To mark National Diabetes Month, Hispanic Federation (HF), the nation’s premier Latino nonprofit membership organization, announced it has been awarded a $3 million grant by the United Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of UnitedHealth Group, to create a series of educational and awareness building initiatives to combat the debilitating impact of diabetes in the Latino community. Over the next three years, HF and its partner organizations will implement culturally, and linguistically competent programming designed to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Through this partnership, HF also hopes to help more people better manage diabetes and raise awareness about the impact of diabetes, prediabetes, and other cardiometabolic conditions in the Latino community.
Individuals living in Atlanta, Dallas and Houston will be able to take part in a yearlong intervention that will provide educational resources and encourage adoption and maintenance of healthy eating habits and physical activity. Participants will receive various physical activity opportunities and resources to support healthy habits and address the other aspects of their lives that affect their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“We are honored to announce this grant partnership with Hispanic Federation, especially during National Diabetes Month – a time to bring attention to this life-altering chronic condition,” said Dr. Mayrene Hernandez, Senior Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare. “This partnership aligns with our organization’s commitment to advancing health equity and building healthier communities by supporting programs to improve access to care and address key determinants of health.”
“On behalf of our more than 600 member organizations and partners, I thank the United Health Foundation for this transformative grant. This funding is going toward preventative diabetes programming that could ultimately save the lives of thousands of Latino adults and children,” said President and CEO of Hispanic Federation Frankie Miranda. “Working collaboratively with the United Health Foundation, we will empower our community with culturally and linguistically competent information while also expanding access to healthcare resources that prevent the onset of diabetes and improve the overall health of Latinos. Many Latino families still struggle to access quality and affordable healthcare, which is why we’re committed to breaking barriers to healthcare and helping Latinos lead healthier and longer lives.”
This latest grant is inspired by a five-year pilot program in Florida in which program participants engaged with a dedicated lifestyle coach in one-on-one, in-person and virtual sessions. Hispanic Federation also encouraged participants to create walking groups and provided educational materials and exercise guides in English and Spanish, including specific guidance for elderly community members and people with disabilities.
During the pilot that launched in 2018, Hispanic Federation saw over 700 prediabetes prevention participants in the Sunshine State reduce their body weight by an average of 6.8% during the first six months of the program. At the 12-month marker, this number jumped to slightly over 9% body weight loss. Based on participants’ reported BMI alone, and excluding their genetic history, approximately 20% of participants may have been able to prevent the onset of prediabetes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Latinos are more likely to have type 2 diabetes (17%) than non-Hispanic White people (8%). Latino adults’ chances of developing type 2 diabetes are over 50%. Also, type 2 diabetes is still more common among youth in racial or ethnic minority groups than among white youth. This initiative will help address these disparities and encourage the Latino community to take proactive steps to seek preventative care.
In Texas, in 2022, there were 174.3K new cases of type 2 diabetes reported. There are approximately one million Latinos living in Houston and an additional one million Latinos in Dallas or just over 41% of the population. Given that many of these Latinos are predominantly of Mexican heritage, it places them at a 17% higher risk than other racial and ethnic groups.
In Georgia there are approximately 1.1 million Latinos in the state. Unfortunately, culturally sensitive prevention programs are scarce in the state. This places just over 100,000 potential new diagnosis for type 2 diabetes in the Peach State. Type 2 diabetes can cause several health issues, including a higher disposition to kidney disease or failure, blindness, hypertension, among others. There is a huge burden of cost to each state at well over $9 billion dollars in related medical costs in these two states alone.
About United Health Foundation
Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, the United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities. The United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, the United Health Foundation has committed more than $700 million to programs and communities around the world, including a recent $100 million commitment to help diversify the health workforce. To learn more, visit www.UnitedHealthFoundation.org.
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized and immigrant Latinos. With programs in 40 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
