FREEDOM Study Focuses on Type 2 Diabetes Management, Social Determinants of Health
The $3.6 million FREEDOM—Food Delivery, Remote Monitoring, and Coaching-Enhanced Education for Optimized Diabetes Management—study focuses on sustainable and effective Type 2 diabetes management intervention in adults with sub-optimal social determinants of health across the Deep South. Alabama and Mississippi have the highest rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and related cardiovascular and renal diseases.
The goal of the study is to develop an optimized, multilevel, and scalable intervention to improve T2DM control in low-income Black adults with T2DM and cardiorenal complications in the Deep South region by targeting transportation barriers, health services access, quality of care, and food insecurity.
FREEDOM researchers will evaluate three intervention components: Digital health coaching, food box delivery, and remote patient monitoring. By identifying the most effective intervention package, researchers aim to build a sustainable, health system-driven program capable of aiding those with type 2 diabetes.
All patients get referred to a diabetes educator and may receive access to health coaching, food box delivery, and remote patient monitoring.
A partnership with University of Mississippi Medical Center investigators and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities funds the project, along with the Forge AHEAD (Advocating for Health Equity and Addressing Disparities) Center.
Please contact the research team to learn more.
Principal Investigator: Tapan Mehta, PhD
Project Manager: Assil El Zein, PhD, RDN