Type 2 Diabetes Prevention and Management Utilizing the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP™)

Overview

Diabetes is a nationwide epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 38 million Americans have diabetes, and out of those, 1 out of every 5 people doesn’t even know they have it. More than one million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. And on top of that, 98 million Americans (1 out of every 3 people) have what’s called prediabetes, when your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Diabetes is now the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. About 95% of people living with diabetes have type 2 Diabetes, a chronic disease that is highly avoidable with the right changes, like exercise, weight loss, and healthy eating habits.

Type 2 diabetes impacts children as well. The American Diabetes Association estimates that “1 out of every 3 children born after 2000 in the United States will be directly affected by diabetes” at some time in their lives. The CDC states that complications from diabetes are increasing for young adults aged 18 to 44 and middle-aged adults aged 45 to 64. Almost 1 in 5 adolescents aged 12 to 18 and 1 in 4 young adults aged 19 to 34 have prediabetes.

Arkansas, just like the rest of the country, has the same issues with diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 290 thousand people, or about 12 out of 100 of Arkansas’ adult population, have diabetes.  Additionally, 14 thousand people living in Arkansas are diagnosed with diabetes each year, and almost 800 thousand Arkansans have prediabetes. Obesity is a big reason why people develop type 2 diabetes, and 37% of Arkansas’ adult population has obesity.

Uncontrolled diabetes also greatly impacts the economy and causes serious medical complications. In 2022, the national medical cost and lost productivity for diagnosed diabetes exceeded $400 billion. People living with diabetes spend 2.6 times more on healthcare expenses than those without diabetes.

Diabetes Management and Education

By educating communities about how to prevent type 2 diabetes and supporting those living with the disease, we can teach others how to manage and control this chronic disease. According to the CDC, participation in Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) programs is linked to positive changes in health behaviors and improved diabetes-related outcomes. Benefits of participation include:

• Improved A1C levels.
• Improved management of blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Higher rates of medication adherence.
• Fewer or less severe diabetes-related complications.
• Healthier lifestyle behaviors, such as nutrition, increased physical activity, and use of primary care preventive services.
• Enhanced self-efficacy, and
• Decreased healthcare costs, including fewer hospital admissions and readmissions.

The Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP^TM) is a DSME program developed by the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC). Specifically designed to assist individuals with type 2 diabetes in effectively managing their condition and reducing the risk of further health issues, this program targets low-income, racial, and ethnic minority groups.  By focusing on preserving the well-being of those with pre-diabetes as well as diagnosed diabetes, the program strives to prevent the complications associated with this condition.

AFMC’s Medicaid Quality Improvement (MQI) staff are DEEP^TM-certified Peer Educators and Lead Trainers. DEEP^TM program implementation can significantly improve diabetes prevention and management, while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs.

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