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 40.1 million Americans have diabetes, and out of those, 1 out of every 4 people do not even know they have it. More than one million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. And on top of that, 115.2 million American adults—more than 2 in 5 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 7th leading cause of death in the United States, and people diagnosed with diabetes have a higher risk of early death than those without diabetes. About 95% of people living with diabetes have type 2 Diabetes, a chronic disease that is highly manageable or avoidable with lifestyle changes, physical activity, losing 5-7% body weight, and adopting a healthy, low-sugar diet.

Arkansas, just like the rest of the country, has the same issues with diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), approximately 346,000 adults in Arkansas, or 13%, have diagnosed diabetes. Additionally, 21,000 adults living in Arkansas are diagnosed with diabetes each year, and almost 800,000 Arkansans have prediabetes. Obesity is a big reason why people develop type 2 diabetes, and approximately 40% of Arkansas’ adult population has obesity.

Uncontrolled diabetes also greatly impacts the economy and causes serious medical complications, including heart disease, kidney failure and blindness. 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 medical expenses than those without diabetes.

Diabetes Management and Education

According to the CDC, Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES), is an evidence-based service that can help people with diabetes live longer and healthier lives. Through DSMES, people with diabetes can prevent or delay diabetes complications. Benefits of participation in DSMES 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-confidence to manage diabetes, and
• Decreased healthcare costs, including fewer hospital admissions and readmissions.

The Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP^TM) is a licensed, evidence-based DSME program developed by the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC). The program uses a train-the-trainer model to empower adults with type 2 diabetes to effectively manage their disease and prevent further complications. It utilizes 8 modules and is delivered in six 2-hour sessions, once a week for 6 weeks.

AFMC’s Medicaid Quality Improvement (MQI) staff are DEEP^TM-certified Peer Educators and Lead Trainers. The DEEP^TM program implementation helps participants improve their quality of life, better understand their disease, and decrease potential complications from diabetes, while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs.

For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Revised April 2026