Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center facilitates diabetes self-management and prevention
Empowering patients and community members to actively manage their diabetes through education and coaching improves diabetes-related health outcomes and mental health. In 2014, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center started its diabetes prevention program which continues to grow and expand services throughout the community.
CHMC bases its diabetes education programming on yearly community health assessments completed with its partners — Lions Club International, CDC, Stanford University, St. Lawrence Health Initiative, New York State Office for the Aging, North Country Initiative, Fort Drum Regional Planning Organization and the University at Albany’s Quality and Technical Assistance Center — and using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, payer data and data collected by the state and referral trends. Program participants work one-on-one with a diabetes educator and attend classes on key topics such as:
- being active;
- healthy coping;
- healthy eating;
- monitoring blood sugar levels;
- problem solving;
- reducing risks and complications; and
- taking medication.
Program interventions are evidence-based practices and provide a place where families and people of all ages can find resources and solid education.
The work CHMC does through its diabetes services ties directly to the New York state Prevention Agenda priority area to prevent chronic disease action and correlates with the focus areas of healthy eating and food security, physical activity and chronic disease prevention and management.
Patients who were seen by Claxton-Hepburn educators dropped their A1c value by 1.45 percentage points on average and 49% of participants have A1Cs below 7%. Patients with A1c values greater than 9% decreased by an average of 2.9 percentage points and 71% are below the National Committee for Quality Assurance target of 8%. Since the program began, CHMC has helped participants shed more than 1,800 pounds.
For more information, contact Michele Catlin, community outreach, prevention and wellness coordinator, at 315.713.5251 or mcatlin@chmed.org.
