Diabetes is a major health concern in South Carolina. It’s the eighth-leading cause of death in the state. According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), 1 in 7 adults in South Carolina have diabetes. This is around 556,000 adults in the state.

Diabetes Free SC (DFSC) is committed to promoting healthy living and effective diabetes management in the state. To achieve this goal, DFSC focuses on three main objectives:

1. Improving pregnancy outcomes and the health of women with or at risk for diabetes 
2. Decreasing risks of diabetes in children
3. Preventing diabetes in adults

To meet these objectives, DFSC continues supporting two essential initiatives: the school-based wellness grants and Management of Maternal Diabetes, also known as the MOMs programs. Both are funded by the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation.

School-Based Wellness Grants 

The Foundation has granted three more years of funding to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (AHG) and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Boeing Center for Children's Wellness (BCCW). These organizations have been working to create healthier school environments. Together, they have positively affected nearly 100,000 children in 153 schools across South Carolina. 

AHG's Healthy Schools Program promotes healthy environments for children's nutrition and physical activity through best practices, policies, systems and environmental changes.

The MUSC BCCW School-based Wellness Initiative was implemented in South Carolina schools in 2010. With DFSC's support, BCCW has added seven school districts, bringing the total to 17. BCCW will pilot a more intensive approach in two supported districts. This helps provide school-based services for children with or at high risk for diabetes.  

MOMs Programs

Since May 2020, two Prisma-based MOMs programs, Prisma Upstate and Prisma Midlands and Carolina Diabetes and Kidney Center, have served over 1,200 pregnant women with diabetes.

"MOMS in Control" is a coordinated effort between Prisma Health Midlands and the Carolina Diabetes and Kidney Center in Sumter.

"MOMs in Control of Diabetes Upstate" is an initiative that delivers care in a similar model in Greenville. It is one of the largest obstetric practices in South Carolina.

Both programs have been operating for three years. They have secured an additional two years of funding under the DFSC initiative. 

Essential components of MOMs programs include: 

• Maternal-fetal medicine physicians.
• Endocrinologists.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Diabetes educators.
• Dieticians.
• Community health workers.
• Behavioral health assessments.
• Retinal screenings.
• Dental care.
• Patient navigators.
• Appropriate use of new technologies.

Together, through initiatives like these, DFSC is helping align actions against diabetes and engaging South Carolinians to lead healthier lives.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is an independent organization that offers health information you may find helpful.