CLEVELAND — A new University Hospitals center in Cleveland's MidTown neighborhood is helping to bring resources close to home for those living with diabetes and obesity. 

What You Need To Know

  • Diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in the U.S.

  • In Cuyahoga County, 13% of residents have diabetes and 33% have pre-diabetes

  • The overall goal of the center is to improve access to care

UH stated diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., and 13% of Cuyahoga County's population has been diagnosed with diabetes. An additional 33% of residents have pre-diabetes. 

While there is a high prevalence of the disease in low-income communities, treatment for it tends to be plentiful in areas where the population is highly educated and privately insured, according to UH. The hospital system said because of the low availability of treatments in those low-income communities, it opened a center dedicated to diabetes and obesity to increase access for residents.

“This center is the culmination of our mission and long-standing commitment to help our community,” said Betul Hatipoglu, endocrinologist and medical director of the UH Diabetes & Metabolic Care Center and Mary Lee Chair in Adult Endocrinology. “Barriers to access have a huge impact on people’s health. In this location, many patients will be within walking distance of their appointments from their homes in the neighborhood. The location of this center is key to helping people live healthier lives.”

The overall goals are to improve access to care, provide an approach to care — such as nutrition and exercise consultation — and improve overall health outcomes. 

The staff includes an endocrinologist, a full-time nurse practitioner, a diabetes care and education specialist, a nutritionist, a medical assistant and more. The center is for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes care over the age of 18, regardless of the ability to pay. 

The space was created to bridge Cleveland's downtown business center with its University Circle academic hub, UH said. Adding the center helps bring together multiple "sectors, companies and disciplines under one roof," UH said in a release. 

"The MidTown Collaboration Center is a hub of innovation, where cutting-edge services and programs are designed to uplift and empower Cleveland's residents," said Lillian Kuri, president and CEO of the Cleveland Foundation. "The new UH Diabetes Center stands as a cornerstone of this mission, embodying a groundbreaking approach to delivering critical care in partnership with the community."

The UH Diabetes Center at MidTown is in the Cleveland Foundation's new MidTown Collaboration Center at 1974 East 66th St. in Cleveland. More information can be found on UH's website.