Menu BRIDGING THE GAP: REDUCING DISPARITIES IN DIABETES CARE This new initiative will bring together the health care sector and other sectors to support innovative approaches to diabetes treatment and management. More than 29 million people have diabetes in the U.S. But it’s in the vulnerable and underserved populations in our communities where we find a higher prevalence of both the disease and its related complications. Yet many diabetes patients do not receive the help they need in managing their health, including addressing other factors that affect their health such as access to nutritious foods and options for physical activity. BRIDGING THE GAP: REDUCING DISPARITIES IN DIABETES CARE To help lessen the burden of those affected by the disease, the Merck Foundation is supporting a new initiative, Bridging the Gap: Reducing Disparities in Diabetes Care, to improve access to high-quality diabetes care and reduce health disparities in vulnerable and underserved communities in the U.S. Bridging the Gap will work to: Build sustainable partnerships between the health care sector and other sectors to address the medical and social determinants of health. Redesign health care systems, including the transformation of primary care, to improve diabetes care delivery for vulnerable and underserved populations. Improve health outcomes for individuals with type 2 diabetes through measures such as better glucose and lipid control. “There is a higher prevalence of diabetes in underserved communities, where many patients do not receive the help they need to effectively manage their health. Through Bridging the Gap, we will work with our partners to promote sustainable improvements in diabetes care for those who need it the most.” – Dr. Julie Gerberding, chief patient officer, Merck, and chief executive officer, Merck Foundation With $16 million in funding from the Foundation over five years, Bridging the Gap will support multifaceted diabetes programs in selected communities around the country. Through a comprehensive cross-site evaluation, the Foundation will also assess the impact of this initiative, with a goal of promoting best practices in primary care transformation and advancing intersectoral collaborations to reduce diabetes disparities in the U.S. ABOUT THE MERCK FOUNDATION The Merck Foundation is a U.S.-based, private charitable foundation. Established in 1957 by Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, the Foundation is funded entirely by the company and is Merck’s chief source of funding support to qualified non-profit charitable organizations. Since its inception, the Merck Foundation has contributed more than $870 million to support important initiatives that address societal needs and are consistent with Merck’s overall mission of inventing for life by bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. For more information, visit www.merckgiving.com. Published Nov. 2016; updated May 2017 Copyright. © 2009-2017 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statement Privacy Terms of Use Site Map