Quality of diabetes care at a student-run free clinic

Approximately 17% of the 8.5 million Americans with diabetes lack health insurance, and many suffer the consequences of poor access to health care.1 A significant proportion of these uninsured patients receive care at free clinics supported by various community organizations; these include a growing number of student-run free clinics emerging from medical schools across the nation over the past de cade.2 While improved glycemic control, reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and regular preventive screening can greatly reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes,310 achieving them is particularly challenging for free clinics that care for highly vulnerable populations.11.