Project HOPE Board of Directors – Diabetes Presentation

October, 2010 Project HOPE was kind enough to let me present some of my findings from A Journey for HOPE to the board. The following presentation depicted at a high-level, the purpose, process, and outcome of 5 months and 10 countries worth of research. Although there were substantial themes of findings that held consistent from one country to the next – I tried to convey the varied nature of the condition and vulnerability to cultural norms and perceptions.

I included what I called “the faces of diabetes” to help portray various archetypes of patients I met during my travels.

Below is a selected diagram that depicts the three frameworks I used throughout my research (another version included in the first blog post). What I’ve found is that taking a population based, or traditional public health, viewpoint alone is not sufficient for diabetes. Unlike infectious diseases, NCDs are constantly changing within the population and each individual (whether at risk, diagnosed, or managing the condition). A lifecycle approach is needed to understand the prevention required at the individual level as diabetes relief efforts help stop the progression across the spectrum of risk to compliance. The systemic perspective (what care is provided, where, and by whom) is vital to understand disruptive models in diabetes and chronic disease treatment that can creatively use resources available to produce the best outcome at both individual and population levels.

Finally, and most importantly, is Project HOPE’s role in providing global diabetes relief. I proposed Project HOPE serve as an unbiased intersection of public and private interests that works towards the betterment of patients and communities. I believe Project HOPE can maximize its impact by focusing on gaps in current public and private offerings and helping them align incentives to increase the overall value to the beneficiaries.

Funding this effort will require a broad portfolio of donors, many of which are non-traditional healthcare donors such as Pepsi, Nike, or Subway.

Since the completion of my field research with Project HOPE, I have been contacted by a number of physicians, nurses, dietitians, and experts worldwide. Thank you wholeheartedly for the immense dedication and passion you are pouring into your communities. The following are several articles and presentations resulting from this research this fall:

A Silent Epidemic - Southeast Asia Globe (PDF Version)

Deloitte’s Life Sciences & Health Care practice leverages externship program to deliver HOPE globally - DeloitteNet

Haas Healthcare Association Presentation – Project HOPE & Diabetes

The final findings and recommendations for Project HOPE will be shared when approved. I hope this research works to help and benefit all who work locally and globally for children, families, communities, and nations who struggle with diabetes.