California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program

In 2018, pre-existing or gestational diabetes was a complication for 11.4% of pregnant individuals who gave birth in a California hospital. The California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program (CDAPP) Sweet Success works to reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality by providing comprehensive technical support and education to health professionals to assist in promoting improved pregnancy outcomes for pregnant individuals with pre-existing type 1 and type 2 diabetes and individuals who develop diabetes while pregnant, a condition called gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The provider offices where health professionals undergo standardized training and provide direct care services become known as CDAPP Sweet Success Affiliates.

Program Profile

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About Us

OUR GOAL: To reduce the number of women developing diabetes before and during pregnancy and improving the outcomes of women with diabetes in pregnancy.

WHO SERVE: CDAPP Sweet Success offers training and technical resources to health professionals who provide clinical care, education and resources for pregnant individuals with diabetes.

SERVICE DELIVERY: The CDAPP Sweet Success Resource and Training Center recruits, trains and supports Affiliates who provide health care services to pregnant individuals with pre-existing or gestational diabetes.

The CDAPP Sweet Success Guidelines for Care are the basis for culturally and linguistically appropriate education and care for diabetes during pregnancy. The Guidelines, which include evidence based medical management, psychosocial and nutrition interventions, promote a healthy lifestyle to improve outcomes for pregnant individuals with diabetes and their infants.

OUTCOMES: Well-managed diabetes during pregnancy leads to health outcomes closer to that of pregnant individuals without diabetes.

FINANCING: Federal Title V MCH Block Grant.

Potential Factors for Developing GDM

In 2018, GDM was a complication for 10.1 percent of pregnant individuals who gave birth in a California hospital. People with no known risk factors may develop GDM.

Some pregnant individuals who may be at greater risk of GDM include individuals who:

are overweight
have developed GDM during a previous pregnancy
have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or
are physically inactive

Additionally, individuals of Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander and African American descent may be at greater risk of developing GDM.

Risks of GDM

GDM can increase the risk of problems for both the pregnant individual and the baby. Pregnant individuals with GDM are more likely to experience pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), more likely to require a C-section and can have up to a 50% increase in the lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Babies born to individuals with GDM are more likely to be born prematurely, suffer fetal injury and are at increased risk for a variety of long-term medical complications. When GDM is well-managed, the risks to the parent and child are closer to those of pregnant individuals without diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes on the Rise

In California, from 2011 to 2018, the percent of pregnant individuals (ages 12 to 55) with gestational diabetes increased from 8.2% to 10.1%. The maps below show the percent of pregnant individuals with gestational diabetes at three different time periods: 2011, 2014 and 2018. In 2011, 13 counties had rates above 10%. In 2014, that number doubled to 26 counties with rates above 10%. By 2018, over half of the counties (30 of 58) had rates above 10%.

Where We Are

Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Orange, Plumas, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Ventura, Yolo, and Yuba

CDAPP Sweet Success Affiliate Locator

Program Resources

Use social media messages on our toolkit page to help raise awareness about gestational diabetes and connect health professionals to CDAPP Sweet Success training and technical resources. This material is downloadable and shareable.

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California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program (CDAPP) Sweet Success

Program Profile

Potential Factors for Developing GDM

Risks of GDM

Program Resources

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