Targeting diabetes preventive care programs: insights from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey

Many individuals with diabetes do not receive flu or pneumonia vaccinations or dilated eye exams, despite the documented efficacy of these practices. Understanding the individual factors associated with not receiving recommended vaccinations and exams is essential to developing effective targeted promotional programs.

Data from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey were analyzed to identify predictors of failure to report flu and pneumonia vaccinations and dilated eye exams. Key predictors included indicators of disease severity, access to care, and demographic characteristics.

Significant factors varied by vaccination. For all 3 practices, failure to receive was associated with being younger, being a member of an ethnic minority group, having had no diabetes education, not taking insulin, and engaging in fewer prevention practices requiring physician contact. Other salient characteristics included having no health insurance, having less education, and reporting good general health.

Promotional programs should be tailored for younger, minority patients, and those messages should encourage preventive care despite general good health or less severe disease. Indirect methods of promotion may include participation in diabetes education programs and regular contact with physicians. Additionally, health care professionals may be appropriate target groups for preventive care campaigns.