Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not make enough insulin or does not properly use insulin to keep up with the amount of sugar in the blood. Your body changes most of the food you eat into glucose (sugar) and, through the blood stream, uses it to give your body energy. However, too much glucose in the blood is not good for your health.
When you eat, your blood takes the glucose to the cells throughout your body. The glucose needs insulin to get into the body’s cells. Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas, an organ near the stomach, and the pancreas releases insulin into the blood. Insulin helps the glucose from food get into the cells. If your body does not make enough insulin or the insulin does not work right, the glucose can’t get into the cells, so it stays in the blood. This makes your blood glucose level high, causing you to have diabetes.
Take the Pre-Diabetes Risk Test to see if you are at risk, and learn more about the program.
Diabetes Self-Management Program
Diabetes is a serious chronic disease affecting our nation and is a widespread problem in our own community. Diabetes is characterized by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood due to the body’s problem with insulin production, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can be controlled and properly managed. However, if left untreated it can result in kidney disease, limb amputation, blindness, and nervous system damage. The cost associated with treating these conditions is steep, about 2.6 times greater on average than someone without diabetes.
- Average A1c improvement among diabetes management program participants is consistent each year.
- Participants overwhelmingly indicate on program evaluation and customer satisfaction surveys that the classes provided valuable information that helps them better manage their diabetes.
- On average, participants who attended at least 75% of the classes had the most success. So full participation is important!
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County recognizes the threat diabetes poses to the community and provides diabetes self-management education. Education sessions are located throughout Hillsborough County in both English and Spanish. Locations are based on need, request, and overall convenience for the community.
Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) is not a substitute for diagnosis, treatment, or health management by a physician or other health care provider. The program expands on the education and support received through providers and reinforces the importance of lifestyle in chronic disease management. Much of diabetes management rests in the hands of the individual and daily self-care such as monitoring blood sugar, taking medications, problem-solving, following a healthy diet, and participating in regular physical activity are all necessary to maintain adequate control and reduce complications due to diabetes. DSME is a powerful tool that can be used to facilitate improved self-care through education, support, and development of coping and problem-solving skills.
DSME is led by a Registered Dietitian, supported by Registered Dietitians, Registered Nurses, and Health Educators. This program is based on the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education. Provider referrals are encouraged.
For more information, call 813-307-8009.
Diabetes Prevention Program
The National Diabetes Prevention and Lifestyle Change Program (NDPP), which is based on research lead by the National Institutes of Health and supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), helps prevent type 2 diabetes by 58% when participants lose 5% to 7% of their body weight (10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person).
To qualify for the program, a person must be overweight and at risk of developing diabetes. Many factors increase your risk for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes:
- Being 45 years of age or older.
- Having a family member with diabetes.
- Having a family background of African-American, Hispanic/Latino, American-Indian, Asian-American, or Pacific-Islander.
- Having had diabetes while being pregnant (gestational diabetes), or having given birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more.
- Being physically active less than three times a week.
NDPP spans one year and participants meet as a group with a trained lifestyle coach for 1 hour once a week for 16 weeks, then every other week for 4 months, then once a month for the final 3 months. Participants learn how to make healthy lifestyle changes that can help prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes, including choosing healthier foods, losing weight, being more physically active and managing stress. The group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges.
New classes are starting regularly. For more information, call 813-307-8009.