Integrating Pharmacists into Chronic Disease Prevention and Management
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is leading an effort to expand pharmacist-led services that promote type 2 diabetes prevention, strengthen evidence-based self-management education, and improve cardiovascular health management as part of a team-based approach to chronic disease care in communities statewide.
The
HeartBeatCA Program and the
Type 2 Diabetes Prevention (T2DP) Program provide statewide leadership, technical assistance, and funding that enable CDPH to expand pharmacist-led chronic disease prevention efforts.
The HeartBeatCA Program is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) The National Cardiovascular Health Program (CDC-RFA-DP-23-0004). The T2DP Program is funded by CDC's A Strategic Approach to Advancing Health Equity for Priority Populations with or at Risk for Diabetes (CDC-RFA-DP-23-0020). Integrating Pharmacists into California's Health Care Teams Project is funded by CDC's Cooperative Agreements for Diabetes Control Programs (NU58DP007371). These grants support the development of resources; coordination of community and clinical partners; and implementation of evidence-informed strategies that appear throughout this webpage.
Supporting better care starts here
Pharmacists can play an important role in preventing and managing long‑term health conditions; their involvement in patient care can increase access to primary care services, while improving health outcomes.
CDPH has partnered with contractor Innovation Horizons to do the following:
- Increase and sustain Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) and National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) delivery sites within independent and/or chain pharmacies to improve reach to priority populations.
- Strengthen self-care practices by improving access, appropriateness, and feasibility of DSMES services for priority populations.
- Train pharmacists across the state how to safely and effectively bring high blood pressure under control and ensure appropriate management of high blood cholesterol through Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM).
This effort involves coordinating with local departments and health systems across California to bridge gaps in healthcare access by utilizing the expertise of pharmacists to aid in preventive care, patient education, and medication management. Utilizing this pharmacist-led approach, CDPH aims to reduce chronic disease-related health care disparities, promote health equity, and improve patient outcomes for Californians.
Who can benefit from this information?
This site is a resource for pharmacists, health department staff, health system leaders, community partners, policymakers, and members of the public interested in how pharmacist-based care is transforming chronic disease prevention and management in California.
Key statistics
- ~90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a community pharmacy, making pharmacists among the most accessible healthcare providers1
- 3.2M California adults living with diabetes (about 1 in 9)2
- 30.6% of California adults diagnosed with high blood pressure3
- ↓ A1c ~1.5% reduction through pharmacist-led interventions4
- ↓ Systolic blood pressure ~6–8 mmHg reduction through pharmacist-led interventions5
Pharmacist-led interventions significantly improve diabetes and high blood pressure outcomes through medication management, patient education, and team-based care.
Diabetes services: DSMES and National DPP
DSMES and National DPP help people prevent and manage type 2 diabetes. These programs are usually offered in clinics or community settings, but they are now being offered in pharmacies to make them easier to access.
Through this program, CDPH is working with partners across the state to help pharmacists offer these services. This includes finding ways to reach patients, setting up approval systems, and giving pharmacists and health departments the training and support they need to succeed.
Did you know?
Nationally, fewer than 5% of Medicare beneficiaries and only 6.8% of privately insured people with diabetes participate in DSMES within their first year of diagnosis. Only about half of all adults with diabetes report ever receiving any form of diabetes education.4
What pharmacists need to know
Pharmacists who want to offer diabetes programs can find help here on how to get started. This includes information on approval options (like ADCES or ADA), as well as training, support, and tools to help them set up and run these programs.
View the DSMES and DPP playbook ›*
Comprehensive support services covering reimbursement and care team integration, alongside clear definitions, structured evaluation frameworks, and practical templates for implementation.
Data at a glance
The following data provide a snapshot of the current state of pharmacy-based chronic disease services in California, drawn from a statewide survey of 165 pharmacists and healthcare providers conducted October 2025 to February 2026.6
Diabetes data
- 55.2% cite limited reimbursement as the top barrier to expanding diabetes services
- 67.9% identify reimbursement & sustainability as the #1 implementation challenge overall
- 95.7% of organizations serve priority populations (African American, Asian American, Latino, American Indian and Alaska Native communities)
- 74.5% of respondents are interested in or willing to consider offering/expanding DSMES services
- 75.9% are interested in joining a virtual learning collaborative on Comprehensive Medication Management
High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol data
High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. These are the leading causes of death in California and across the country. The HeartBeatCA program helps pharmacists take an active role in patient care, working with healthcare teams to help people better manage their blood pressure and cholesterol. These services are offered in local communities, making care easier to access.
- 58.2% of surveyed providers currently offer high blood pressure management services
- 49.1% currently offer high blood cholesterol management services
- 19.2% receive consistent payment for high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol services
In California
30.6% of adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and 37% with high blood cholesterol.3,7 Nationally, nearly half of all U.S. adults (48.1%) have high blood pressure.8 Left unmanaged, these conditions significantly raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death.
High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol: The role of pharmacists in team-based care
Pharmacists are increasingly recognized as essential members of the cardiovascular care team. Under collaborative practice agreements, pharmacists can monitor blood pressure, adjust medications, provide patient education, and coordinate with physicians and other providers to ensure continuity of care. This team-based care model has been shown to improve outcomes and reduce disparities.9
Playbook: High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol implementation guide
Support services spanning reimbursement and care team integration, with clear definitions, evaluation frameworks, and practical templates.
View the hypertension and dyslipidemia playbook ›*
Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP) policy
SMBP policy template, patient education materials, handouts, and process maps to help pharmacies implement SMBP monitoring programs.
View the SMBP policy ›*
Reports and ongoing resources
Annual reports
Summary of accomplishments, data highlights, and next steps.
Coming soon
Presentations
The program regularly hosts webinars and presentations to share findings, facilitate peer learning, and support implementation across the state.
Coming soon
Mailing list
Click here to signup to our mailing list ›
Contact information
Questions about this program? Email:
*If you are having difficulty accessing this document, please contact CDPH at HeartBeatCA@cdph.ca.gov to request this information in an alternate format.
References
6. California Department of Public Health/Innovation Horizons Statewide Pharmacist Survey, Oct 2025-Feb 2026.