Diabetes Self-Management Classes

In 2010, there are five sessions of the diabetes self-management class scheduled. Each session meets once a week, on Mondays, for six weeks, from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

January 25-March 1
March 22-April 26
May 17-June 21
July 19-August 23
September 13-November 1

To register, or for more information, call 303-355-3423, ext. 108.

The Facts about Diabetes and African Americans
Type 2 diabetes (known as adult-onset diabetes) occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it makes effectively, resulting in high levels of blood glucose (blood sugar). Diabetes can lead to serious complications - blindness, kidney disease, amputations, and heart disease -- and premature death, but people with diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.

On average, African Americans are almost two times more likely than whites to have diabetes. Estimates are that 3.2 million, or 14.7% of all African Americans aged 20 years or older, have diabetes. Twenty-five percent of African Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have diabetes.

African Americans with diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes complications than whites. But diabetes complications can be reduced or significantly delayed by keeping blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in target ranges, and by eating healthy foods, being physically active, taking diabetes medication as prescribed, and testing blood glucose levels.

PROGRAMS RELATING TO DIABETES

Focus on Diabetes, a six-week class, teaches individuals with diabetes, and their caregivers, skills related to proper nutrition, the use of medication, a suitable exercise program, dealing with emotions, and communicating with health care providers.

The two-hour meetings are highly interactive, focusing on building skills, sharing experiences, and providing support. Medical professionals from the University of Colorado schools of Pharmacy and Dentistry, Kaiser Permanente, and the Association of Black Psychologists, as well as a certified diabetes educator, volunteer with the program. Each session includes a healthy dinner and 15 minutes of physical activity.

After participants finish the class, they can choose to receive follow-up support by telephone, which is designed to keep the individuals on track with controlling their diabetes.

The program was developed in 2003 with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Are You at Risk for Diabetes?

Are you African American?
Do you have parent or sibling with diabetes?
Are you 45 or older?
Are you overweight or obese or do you carry excess weight around your waist?
Are you sedentary?
Do you eat a lot of refined carbohydrates and fats?

Learn More
Living Well with Diabetes for African Americans was developed by the Center for African-American Health to provide information about preventing and controlling diabetes.

Building Community Support for Diabetes Care. Read a description of the Focus on Diabetes program written by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation, which funded the program as part of its Building Community Support for Diabetes Care initiative.

Culturally Competent Self-Management Program Increases Confidence and Knowledge for African Americans With or at Risk for Diabetes, from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality "Innovations Exchange."

Additional Resources

American Diabetes Association
www.diabetes.org

National Diabetes Education Program, National Institute of Health
1-800-438-5383
www.ndep.nih.gov

Diabetes Self-Management
www.diabetes-self-mgmt.com