Modified Health Risks: Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
| Topics |
Health promotion and disease prevention
Obesity
Wellness
|
| States served |
Kentucky
|
| Description |
Kentucky has high rates of diseases linked to sleep apnea,
including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. The project elected
to target five rural counties—Franklin, Laurel, Pulaski, Warren, and
Allen—because of the large number of residents who did not have
health insurance or who lacked access to health care services
because of poverty or insufficient transportation. |
| Services offered |
Grant funds were used to strengthen a new prevention project
to detect and treat obstructive sleep apnea and to modify the health
risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease associated with
untreated sleep apnea. The project was coordinated by the
Kentucky Sleep Society, which diagnosed and treated sleep apnea
with traditional methods (e.g., continuous positive airway pressure)
and monitored the improvement of clients’ health status after
treatment.
The primary focus of the program was providing health
screenings to detect the presence of sleep apnea and the associated
health risks of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Screenings were
provided to adults at local health fairs conducted at health
departments, hospitals, exhibits, meetings and conferences, sleep
disorder centers, and primary care clinics.
People at risk for sleep apnea and associated health risk factors
received referrals to the Kentucky Sleep Society for financial
screening and placement in the diagnosis and treatment program.
Poor individuals without health insurance were scheduled for a
sleep study to diagnose and treat sleep apnea. Following treatment,
area doctors provided follow-up care. Many clients also received
education on good nutrition and the role of exercise to help manage
weight problems, diabetes, and hypertension.
In addition to educating area residents about sleep apnea and
the associated health risks, the project recognized the need to
increase awareness of this disorder among local health care
providers. To address this need, an aggressive educational program
was developed to train local health care workers, state agency
educators, caseworkers, health department nurses and
administrators, school nutritionists, primary care clinic workers, specialized day treatment centers, and early childhood teachers.
The project also reduced its funding for clerical support in order to
develop and print educational materials on sleep apnea to be
disseminated by individuals and professionals who received
training through the project. |
| Results |
As a result of the health screenings, the project conducted 149
sleep studies to diagnose and treat sleep apnea. The majority of
these patients made improvements in managing their diabetes or
hypertension, and 91 percent of clients adhered to treatment. Of
these, 55 percent reduced their weight, 52 percent decreased their
blood pressure, and 75 percent decreased blood sugar levels. In all,
the project recorded nearly 37,000 visits. More than two-thirds of
the clients were female, including large numbers of pregnant and
menopausal women, who are at higher risk for sleep deprivation
and sleep apnea.
The project network expanded significantly during the course
of the grant cycle so it could provide more varied services to a
diverse array of clients. In the end, consortium members included
the public school system, Head Start programs, local social service
agencies, and Area Health Education Centers. With this expanded
network, the project includes school dietitians, teachers, and school
nurses to promote preventive messages regarding sleep deprivation,
sleep apnea, and associated health risks. Network members
continue to request support from the Kentucky Sleep Society,
which also laid the groundwork for developing a train-the-trainer
model to sustain the project’s intent in the years to come. |
| Replication |
This model works best when a grassroots approach is used to
reach potential participants. Churches, family discussions, word of
mouth, friends, and casual conversations with health care providers
outside the network proved to be the most effective means of
educating clients. Although the project’s executive director
focused on establishing relationships throughout the local health
care system, project staff and providers focused on establishing
one-on-one relationships with clients.
The biggest challenges associated with this model are reaching
beyond the traditional medical setting to gain access to underserved
populations; the lack of understanding of the negative effects of
sleep deprivation and sleep apnea among professionals, the school system, and the public; and the financial resources required to
implement such a program.
Financial and human resources contributed by the network
members will sustain the program. The Kentucky Sleep Society
will continue to communicate updates through the network
newsletters it publishes. In addition, the sleep disorder centers will
continue to see patients they’ve already treated, and the primary
care clinics will continue to screen for potential patients. |
| Source |
Outreach Sourcebook, Vol. 12, 2002-2005, Office of Rural Health Policy
|
| Contact person |
Kathryn Hansen
Executive Director
Kentucky Sleep Society
667 Elsmere Park
Lexington, KY 40508
Phone: 859-252-6447 |
| Date added |
July 21, 2009 |
Summaries of success stories are provided by RAC for your convenience. Please contact the success story contact person directly for the most complete and current information.
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