Alabama Sen. Robert Stewart stopped by Rural Health Medical Program Inc. on Dec. 19 to present a $25,000 check to help straighten the curve on Type 2 diabetes and assist in healthcare and awareness of the disease.
The funds will be used toward Rural Health’s Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Program that was implemented five years ago.
“I just want to commend the Rural Health Medical Program for the impact they are making in the lives of people in the Black Belt, serving underserved and economically challenged people,” Stewart said. “We know that diabetes is a comorbidity that’s plaguing our region. We’re the Black Belt. We’re also the diabetes belt. And the hypertension belt. So, if we can get diabetes and address those issues, that would help eliminate other extreme diseases and ailments in our region, such as amputations. We also have an amputation crisis. It starts with education and access.”
Rural Health Executive Director Keshee Smith expressed her gratitude for the funds.
“We are very honored and grateful to be working with Senator Stewart,” she said. “Being two homegrown individuals here in Selma, this gives us the opportunity to work together to do some good for the people that need it the most in the Black Belt region of Alabama. This contribution from Senator Stewart will help us to continue our Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Program that we implemented five years ago. Our goal back then was to continue to get funding to keep it going. As long as we can keep it going, the more people we can reach and help to improve their lives and change their lifestyles.”
Smith says that RHMPI is partnering with the local YMCA for a 90-day membership to the facility that includes literacy, weight management and wellness. She said the goal is to reach the first 3,000 patients who are screened with Type 2 diabetes. Those without a primary care physician, but would like to become a patient with RHMPI, may do so and still qualify for the program and its benefits. One of the goals of the partnership is that patients will realize their personal progress and sustain the membership after the 90 days.
Diabetes is a big issue in Black Belt. In February 2023, the Selma Sun reported that “Multiple Black Belt counties were ranked in the list of those with the highest cases. Dallas County was No. 8 where 17% of the population have diabetes.”
This was versus 9.1% nationally. And the obesity rate is 41.9% vs 30.3% nationally.
Rural Health Medical Program, Inc. is located at 101 Park Place.
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