Gestational Diabetes Act

An attempt to expand and intensify public

health research on gestational diabetes.

Carmen Chu and Ashlee Barkeloo

Importance and effect on RDNs

➢ Enhance knowledge
➢ Our evidence-based practice
requires current research on new
developments
➢ Development of wellness
programs and outreach
Who’s in favor? 1 Who’s not in favor? 1

➢ Consumers ➢ Some Legislators

○ Applicable to their lives ○ Might not be the state's
main focal point
○ Directly benefits them
➢ Some Legislators
○ Might be their #1 priority
➢ American Diabetes Association
➢ WIC
○ Support and protection for
Women, Infants and children
in all areas
Costs and Barriers

➢ Government: $5,000,000 for each of fiscal

years 2017 through 2021.2

➢ Hospital Costs: Screenings and

Trainings

➢ Barriers: Training current and future

staff on new practice methods
How will this policy improve the target
populations’ health?

➢ Expands basic, clinical, and public

health research 2
○ Reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes
○ Interventions to lower the incidence of T2D
○ Improve screening for prevention of T2D
○ Improve postpartum diabetes testing
○ Understanding factors that influence GDM
■ socio-environmental, behavioral,
language barriers, patient knowledge
Conclusion
➢ Expanding and improving efficiency in GDM research
➢ Evaluates current methods and discovers new practices
➢ Improve clinical practice methods and develop wellness programs
➢ ↓ Incidence of GDM and ↑ diabetes prevention
Take Home Message

“To protect today’s mothers and the next

generation, policymakers must
recognize the seriousness of diabetes” 3
References

1. Cauchi R. Diabetes Health Coverage: State Laws and Programs. Ncsl.org.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/diabetes-health-coverage-state-laws-and-
programs.aspx. Accessed October 28, 2018.
1. Engel, Eliot. Text - H.R.3658 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): GEDI Act. Congress.gov.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3658/text. Published October 2,
2015. Accessed October 28, 2018.
1. So HC. Gestational diabetes: Take action to reduce disparities. Take action to reduce gestational
diabetes disparities. https://www.cityofhope.org/blog/gestational-diabetes-disparities.
Published January 21, 2018. Accessed October 28, 2018.