According to the 2019 Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Diabetes report, diabetes is a common disease in Kentucky and the nation, with type 2 diabetes being the most common form. The prevalence of diabetes among Kentucky adults has increased from 6.5% in 2000 to 12.9% in 2017. Kentucky was also reported to have the 4th highest mortality rate due to diabetes in the nation in 2016. This is an increase in ranking from 14th in 2014. 

Diabetes and obesity are chronic conditions of particular interest to the Appalachian region, where the obesity and diabetes rates are highest in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Powell County, 21% of adults have been diagnosed with diabetes and 72% of adults are overweight. 

To help address this issue in the community, the Powell County Health Coalition was granted funding through the Marshall University Appalachian Diabetes Control federal grant project. In August 2019, the coalition created a work plan for how to utilize the funding to improve the overall health of adults in the community over the next two years. 

One goal of the grant project is for the Kentucky Employee Health Plan recipients in Powell County to learn strategies that will prevent diabetes through participation in the Diabetes Prevention Program. The objective will be to obtain an average weight loss of a minimum of 5% for all Kentucky Employee Health Plan recipients who are enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program. 

Another goal is to improve the health and wellness of Powell County students through physical activity and health educational opportunities. This will be achieved through a partnership with Bowen Elementary, Powell County Middle School, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, and SNAP Education. The Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent will become trained in the Cooking Matters curriculum and educate middle school youth and their families preparing healthy meals and making good food choices through a 6- week series. The Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent and SNAP-Ed assistant will also work with Bowen Elementary student to educating them about the importance of physical activity. The school will have a walk to Disney World physical activity campaign throughout the school year. 

The Powell County Health Coalition is a community partnership between the Health Department, Foothills Health Clinic, Powell County Cooperative Extension, and the Powell County Schools. Throughout the grant project, the coalition will continue to expand its membership to better represent all audiences in the county and increase resources in order to be a more effective coalition.