People with Diabetes Count! 3 Things You Can Do to Get Your Communities Critical Funding in the 2020 U.S. Census
Feb 6, 2020, 11:47 AM
by ADCES Director of Advocacy Kate Thomas
What if there was something easy your clients could do that would help them access more than $675 billion in federal funding? Well there is and the 2020 U.S. Census can help.
The U.S. Census Bureau is partnering with public health officials, hospital systems, healthcare organizations like ADCES and others to promote participation in the 2020 census. These partnerships are meant to ensure that all communities are accurately represented, as census data helps to determine the allocation of federal funding (remember, $675 billion is on the table) and how those funds are distributed among states and communities.
By encouraging your clients to participate and sharing information about the 2020 census, you can make sure that people with diabetes, who utilize these important programs, continue to have access.
This includes funding for health programs like Medicaid and Medicare, nutrition programs for at-risk populations, health insurance for children and health care for veterans, persons with disabilities and other underserved populations. If people are not accurately counted, states may lose funding for these important programs; something that has the potential to impact people with diabetes who utilize these programs.
Diabetes care and education specialists like you can help to promote awareness of the U.S. Census within their communities, especially individuals who might be at risk of not being counted. Misinformation might cause some communities to be hesitant to participate, cheating them out of critical funding. By encouraging your clients to participate and sharing information about the 2020 census, you can make sure that people with diabetes, who utilize these important programs, continue to have access.
Here are 3 things you can do in your practice starting today:
- Visit the 2020 census social media hub to find digital content you can use spread the word within your community.
- Share an informational video in your waiting area or in your practice setting. Videos can be found in the 2020 Census - PSA Tool Kit
- Print a poster or other promotional piece that you can post or distribute in your practice setting. There are many options available and you can find content that is most appropriate for the populations you serve.
In mid-March, homes across the country will begin receiving invitations to complete the 2020 census. Once the invitation arrives, people can respond on behalf of their home online, by phone or by mail. Thank you for doing your part to support this important initiative!
ADCES Perspectives on Diabetes Care
The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists Perspectives on Diabetes Care covers diabetes, prediabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions. Not all views expressed reflect the official position of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists.
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HEALTHCARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your diabetes care and education specialist or healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. To find a diabetes care and education specialist near you, visit DiabetesEducator.org/Find.