Manage Your Diabetes With Community Health’s Self-Management Education Program By Jill Jesso-White on October 8, 2019 in Community Health News “Take Diabetes to Heart” Month Focuses on the Link Between Diabetes and Heart Disease Rutland – Diabetes can be managed and Community Health can put you on a path to a healthier life. During National Diabetes Month in November, Community Health is featuring the team of trained diabetes educators and accessible educational services that are available not just in November, but year round. Diabetes educators help identify the risks that diabetes presents, but more importantly they emphasize the ways to manage your diabetes. This year, Take Diabetes to Heart is the theme of a partnership between the National Institutes for Health and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to zero in on the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. People with diabetes have a greater chance to develop a heart attack or a stroke. “We are in the process of piloting a diabetes support program,” said Michele Redmond, a Community Health certified diabetes educator. “We’ll be expanding the support group pilot program to our other offices in 2020,” she said. “We currently have an accredited diabetes education program at most of our sites.” According to the National Institutes for Health “Over time, high blood glucose from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart. Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke as people without diabetes.” The good news is that you can take action immediately to help manage your diabetes also lower your chances of having heart disease or a stroke. Stop smoking or using other tobacco products. Learn how to manage your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels Be more physically active and learn ways to manage stress Take your medication as prescribed by your provider Talk with your health care provider about our diabetes self-management education program and the support group pilot program. Community Health will help you take additional steps to improve your health and manage your diabetes. ___________________________________________ Community Health is the largest network of primary care, pediatric and dental services in Rutland and southern Addison counties with offices in Rutland, Brandon, Castleton, West Pawlet and Shoreham. Community Dental offices are located in Rutland and Shoreham, Community Health Pediatrics is in Rutland and Community Health’s Express Care centers, open seven days a week, are located at the Rutland and Castleton Community Health Centers. Behavioral health providers are available at all Community Health locations. The mission of the Community Health (Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region) is to improve the health and wellness of all people in the communities we serve by providing access to excellent medical and dental primary care regardless of any financial consideration.
