Investment brings diabetes education to Rhode Island barbershops
Diabetes is a serious health condition that occurs when an individual’s blood sugar levels are too high.1 Left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to fatigue, weight management issues, increased risk of heart attacks and a reduced lifespan. In 2021, about 92K (10.4%) of Rhode Island adults reported having been diagnosed with diabetes.2 Additionally, in 2022, diabetes was the cause of death for 293 individuals in the state.3
Recognizing the need to address diabetes education, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Rhode Island has invested $275K in the Communities United Together 4 Health (CUT4Health) initiative, launched by ProChange Behavior Solutions.
Communities United Together 4 Health
ProChange Behavior Solutions is a research-driven consulting firm located in Rhode Island and specializing in behavioral change.4 The firm designed CUT4Health to address disparities in diabetes prevention and promote scalable, cost-effective solutions that help make communities healthier.
CUT4Health leverages trusted community relationships to provide diabetes-related health information in familiar environments. Participation is open to all Rhode Islanders, not just UHC members. Through the program, individuals receive health guidance and support from their personal barbers and stylists, making health education more accessible. Participants enroll in a text messaging program that delivers health tips and information about local food, transportation and caregiving resources. To encourage participation, individuals enrolled in the text messaging program are eligible to win prizes through a randomized drawing.
CUT4Health provides participating barbers and stylists with lifestyle coach training that equips them with the knowledge and tools to talk with clients about healthy lifestyle habits, including proper nutrition, physical activity and smoking cessation. By embedding diabetes education into everyday interactions, CUT4Health encourages health conversations in settings where individuals feel comfortable and engaged.
The success of the program will be evaluated based on participants’ self-reported weight loss, positive changes in health behaviors such as increased fruit and vegetable intake, enhanced physical activity, smoking reduction and readiness to join the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP).
UHC’s investment in CUT4Health highlights its commitment to reducing health inequities and supporting diabetes prevention efforts. By addressing diabetes prevention at the community level, CUT4Health and UHC are paving the way for healthier communities throughout Rhode Island.
