An initiative designed in 2018 to build resources and connections within communities of Indianapolis with the goal of preventing diabetes or better managing it so that people can live long and healthy lives.
In September 2021, DIP-IN received additional funding from Eli Lilly and Company to not only expand the initial three aims, but to add a fourth aim to the initiative.
Reduce complications and improve quality of life of people living with diabetes
Increase awareness of risk factors for diabetes and encourage people at high risk to be screened so they can take action
Foster an environment (physical and social) that supports greater health and well-being for all residents
Increase community capacity to lead DIP-IN initiatives through a focus on civic engagement and enhanced community leadership
Improve access to care and continuity of care for people living with diabetes
Increase awareness of risk factors for diabetes and encourage people at high risk to be screened so they can take action
Foster an environment (physical and social) that supports greater health and well-being for all residents
Increase community capacity to lead DIP-IN initiatives through a focus on civic engagement and enhanced community leadership
This initiative is being implemented through many community organizations working together with community residents. Organizational partners include the Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University Indianapolis, the Marion County Public Health Department, Eskenazi Health, the Polis Center at IU Indianapolis, and many local community-based organizations.
Funding for the project is provided by Eli Lilly and Company as part of their Lilly Global Health Partnerships (LGHP). This project is the first US-based program for the LGHP.
The communities involved are: the Near Northwest Neighborhood, the Near West Neighborhood, and several Northeast Neighborhoods.
All three of these areas were selected because residents have high rates of diabetes and complications from diabetes, as well as high risk levels for getting diabetes.
These communities were also chosen because of the strong community structures and partnerships that are already in place to help support a quality of life initiative such as this.
Our guiding principle is that community residents are best able to decide what resources or actions are most likely to be effective in their community. Steering committees, along with Community Health Workers (CHWs) and project representatives, will guide decision-making about what happens in their communities.
Resident-led steering committees in each community will prioritize and initiate evidence-based, community-level initiatives, with the goal of improving overall quality of life for all residents. Project-specific survey data, key informant interviews, and other data sources will help inform these decisions.
Each neighborhood will have a common thread of CHWs, with CHWs housed at a local Eskenazi clinic and at a neighborhood organization.
CHWs will be residents of the community or will have previously worked closely with the community, and will focus on connecting individuals to medical and social resources, while also working to positively change the neighborhood environment to promote healthier living.
Success and sustainability are tightly linked to numerous key, team players all moving toward the same goals; by focusing on building an extended network of invested stakeholders—from residents to local groups to organizations—we hope to see lasting partnerships that can leverage better health for all.
