Special to Iredell Free News
The American Diabetes Association (ADA), the nation’s leading organization committed to fighting diabetes, recently recognized the work of Iredell Wellness & Diabetes Center through the Education Recognition Program.
Iredell Wellness & Diabetes Center’s Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) service was originally recognized in 1996. The center has continuously maintained this recognition for 27 years by meeting national standards. The goal of the diabetes center DSMES program is to provide participants and their families with training tailored to help them understand and manage their condition.
The ADA’s Education Recognition Program promotes quality diabetes self-management, education, and support for people with diabetes by certifying that services adhere to the National Standards for DSMES. Services certified by the Education Recognition Program offer a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management.
“Daily self-management skills are absolutely essential for people to effectively navigate the 24/7 challenges of living with diabetes, helping to keep them healthy and prevent or delay the serious complications of diabetes,” said Linda Cann, the ADA’s senior vice president of professional services. “We applaud the Iredell Wellness & Diabetes Center for its commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based education and support for people with diabetes by meeting the National Standards for DSME/S and earning the ADA’s ERP recognition.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 30.3 million people in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 23.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 7.2 million people are not aware that they have this disease. Each day, more than 4,110 Americans are diagnosed. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease, and amputation. Diabetes continues to be the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.
“Diabetes impacts a large number of our community members. The Iredell Wellness & Diabetes Center personalizes your care so that you understand your diabetes. There are a million books you can read and education handouts you can memorize. But, we teach you how to apply all of that knowledge to your everyday life and to live the best life you can! Change is hard. But we are here to walk that journey with you,” said Amy Brant, corporate wellness nurse and diabetes program manager at Iredell Wellness & Diabetes Center.
LEARN MORE
If you would like to learn more about the Iredell Wellness & Diabetes Center, call the center at 704-878-4556.
About the American Diabetes Association
Nearly half of American adults have diabetes or prediabetes; more than 30 million adults and children have diabetes; and every 21 seconds, another individual is diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The ADA drives discovery by funding research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and works to safeguard policies and programs that protect people with diabetes. In addition, the ADA supports people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes, and the health care professionals who serve them through information and programs that can improve health outcomes and quality of life. For more information, please call the ADA at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).