Combating diabetes: Meeting community health needs with a free program

The American Diabetes Association reported that diabetes affects over 38 million Americans with a staggering 98 million more are at risk with prediabetes. Covenant Health Community Outreach has established the Diabetes and Prediabetes Program to improve health outcomes and address health inequities for community members living with diabetes. This free program helps community members with diabetes, prediabetes, a family history of diabetes, or other risk factors understand their disease and adopt healthier lifestyle changes. 

“This is an individualized self-management program,” explained Shanay Hernandez, community health worker and diabetes care and education specialist. “We meet people where they are to help them manage their health and to inspire a healthy lifestyle."

The program includes individualized meetings with a care team that includes a community health worker, registered nurse, and dietitian nutritionist, as well as group education classes on goal setting, lifestyle changes, health care, mental health, and hands on cooking classes. 

“If it wasn’t for this program, I would have never treated my diabetes seriously,” said Chris Phelan, a diabetes program participant. “I can’t cure my diabetes, but I can manage it.” 

Established in 2022 with a grant from Providence, the program has successfully enrolled over 500 patients. It continues to empower community members to take control of their health and make informed decisions.