OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan will recognize Diabetes Awareness Month in November with a “Diabetes Awareness Resource Fair” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Oxnard Public Library, 1251 S. A St., Oxnard.

The program will feature guest speaker Dr. Nancy Wharfield, associate chief medical officer for Gold Coast Health Plan, a Zumba demonstration and resource booths.

This week, Gold Coast Health Plan announced that it has launched a new “Disease Management Program for Diabetes.” The program seeks to improve the health of GCHP’s members and decrease pharmacy costs.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the U.S.

In the first six months of 2015, GCHP had 9,181 identified diabetic members and had spent $11.1 million on medications and supplies for them. With the new program, GCHP aims to help those members and the ones who are at-risk of developing diabetes create lifestyle changes through one-on-one support, the organization reported in a media release.

The program, which is free to members, will provide educational resources and classes – in English or Spanish – and connect them with a nurse coach who will help them create an individualized action plan.

“It’s important for our diabetic members to take action now to manage this serious disease,” Dr. Wharfield said. “We want them to feel empowered to lead healthy lives.”

GCHP currently holds monthly diabetes education classes throughout Ventura County. The classes, available in English and Spanish, focus on healthy eating, exercise and diabetes self-management.

The program is the first of several disease-focused programs for the plan.

GCHP will be sending information about the program to diabetic members, along with an invitation to join and attend diabetes classes. The Plan will also encourage its providers to recommend the program to their members.

About Gold Coast Health Plan: Gold Coast Health Plan is an independent public entity created by a Ventura County ordinance and authorized through Federal Legislation. GCHP is not a county agency. The county Board of Supervisors approved implementation of a County Organized Health System (COHS) model, transitioning from fee-for-service Medi-Cal to managed care on June 2, 2009. The purpose of GCHP is to serve Medi-Cal beneficiaries, enhance the quality of healthcare, provide greater access, improve service and provide choice. The plan provides health benefits to nearly 200,000 beneficiaries throughout the county. To learn more about GCHP, visit: www.goldcoasthealthplan.org.

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Noviembre es el mes de Educación sobre la Diabetes

Gold Coast Health Plan presentar un feria de recursos concienciación sobre la diabetes el sábado, 7 de noviembre de 2015 a 10:00 am a 1:00 pm en el Biblioteca Pública de Oxnard, 251 S. A St., Oxnard.