Sansum Diabetes Research Institute maintains an active outreach program in the Santa Barbara community. These include:
Santa Barbara Diabetes Initiative, a multi-site, comprehensive diabetes management program for which Sansum Research provides nutrition and diabetes education. Our nationally-acclaimed educational materials for low-literacy populations are available for those interested.
Braille Institute Partnership
SBDI serves as a referral source for the Santa Barbara office of the Braille Institute, a nonprofit organization offering services to those with vision loss in southern and central California. In addition to vision services, Braille offers SBDI patients, who are at risk of permanent vision loss secondary to diabetes, classes on cooking, computer, ceramics and support groups. These programs have been a valuable addition to SBDI and enhance our patients’ ability to control their diabetes.
Visiting Nurses and Hospice Care (VNHC) Partnership
In 2009 SBDI partnered with VNHC to provide in-home care for patients who can not attend the diabetes education classes offered through the Santa Barbara Diabetes Initiative or for patients who have conditions that complicate their diabetes. A registered nurse / certified diabetes educator goes into the home to conduct a full assessment of the patient’s healthcare status and needs. The nurse reviews blood pressure history, medications, blood sugar logs, foot care recommendations, and blood glucose meter use and reinforces healthful diabetes-friendly eating habits.
SEE International
George B. Primbs, M.D., SDRI Adjunct Clinical Investigator and retired ophthalmologist, volunteers his time and provides ancillary staff to conduct free ophthalmological examinations and refractions for SBDI clients. SDRI provides two examination rooms and support services for this purpose. Patients who require advanced therapy (e.g., laser therapy) are referred to SEE International-affiliated specialists.
Eat Well, Live Well University California Santa Barbara Learn at Lunch Program
Since 2008, UCSB and SDRI have been in partnership to provide a weight management program to decrease obesity and its complications, primarily Type 2 diabetes, in a target population of housing and residential staff on campus. Topics covered during an 8 series of lectures include:
- Meal planning and healthy food choices
- Label reading and grocery shopping
- Mindful Eating strategies
- Cues of hunger and fullness
- Eating out and portion sizes
The 30 minute lessons are conducted on campus during the employees’ lunch period. Lessons are presented in an easy to understand format focusing on main points and strategies.
Ready to Move High School Based Program
SDRI has conducted a school-based health advocacy program at Santa Barbara High School since 2005. The project coordinator has established a Health Advocacy program on campus, a Wellness Program for high school students at the Institute, and has worked actively with the Santa Barbara School District to develop and implement their School Wellness Policy. The program’s main focus is on healthful eating, daily physical activity, building self-esteem and leadership skills. Sessions cover topics relevant to students such as:
- Eating out and the influence of peers on eating habits
- Making healthy changes within the family
- Sugar content of foods and beverages
- Goal setting to make small changes over time
- Dynamic and engaging physical activity sessions such as: yoga, scavenger hunts, Pilates, dance, relay races, swimming and calisthenics
Advocacy Initiatives
JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes Santa Barbara
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has partnered with SDRI for the Santa Barbara Diabetes Walk to Cure Diabetes since 2010. This event complements our long standing relationship with JDRF through globally recognized clinical trials. With this event we raise the awareness of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in Santa Barbara among both the English and Spanish speaking communities.
Tri Counties Council
The JDRF Tri-Counties Council was formed in 2009 to assist families with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes in the Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. The group offers support, social and educational activities throughout the year, and are strong supporters of the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.
Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
Our staff serve on the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Nutrition Committee. This committee works towards improving the quality and accessibility of food offered to special populations through the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. Another goal of this committee is to have registered dietitians educate food distribution staff and Foodbank board members on the importance of the quality and nutritional value of the food being distributed in the community.
Partners for Fit Youth
SDRI was a founding member of Partners for Fit Youth, a county-wide coalition established in 2001 to address childhood obesity in Santa Barbara County, and on behalf of which the current application is submitted. Partners for Fit Youth’s mission is “to improve the health of youth and their families through education, intervention, outreach, and environmental changes, to prevent chronic disease, and to promote healthy weight.”
Partners for Fit Youth led the effort to improve beverage choices in vending machines in the Santa Maria Joint Union School District in 2003, coordinated a youth forum on creating healthier environments in the high school setting and co-sponsored two Children and Weight conferences, and has implemented a county-wide ReThink Your Drink campaign. Partners for Fit Youth has also been influential in local schools by forming school nutrition committees and leading early efforts to encourage healthy beverages in school vending machines.
Gold Coast Collaborative for Health and Fitness (GCC)
The Gold Coast Collaborative for Health and Fitness is the tri-county (San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties) equivalent of Partners for Fit Youth. Members of GCC are professionals in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, public health, medical/health care representatives, university professionals and other individuals interested in promoting the health of residents of the Gold Coast communities. The GCC directs the majority of its efforts and resources to policy and environmental approaches to the prevention of childhood overweight and prevention of obesity and chronic diseases in general.
Coalition for Community Wellness
In early 2007, the idea for the Coalition for Community Wellness was formed to have health organizations be involved with the general plan update process (Plan Santa Barbara) with the City of Santa Barbara. SDRI along with partner organizations has been working to educate policy makers and the public on the relationship between urban planning and public health. The Coalition’s vision is that Plan Santa Barbara will create a community that supports health. The goal is that the City of Santa Barbara’s General Plan will include design elements leading to lower rates of injury, obesity, and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and asthma.
In 2008, the Coalition held two forums open to the public to help educate about the link between community health and urban planning. The group also worked with the City Planning Department to develop community indicators for the general plan. The biggest success of the Coalition to date was the addition of public health as a policy driver.