Hand writing Diabetes with blue marker on transparent wipe board.

Limited Healthcare Access Strains Diabetes Management

Individuals served by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) across the country routinely experience the strain of limited healthcare access due to geographic, financial, or cultural barriers. The added pressures of social isolation and job insecurity during the pandemic magnified the struggle for those trying to manage a chronic health condition. 

According to the National Association for Community Health Centers, diabetes is almost twice as prevalent among patients of an FQHC compared to the 11 percent of the general United States population. By expanding telemedicine services and improving care management planning, FQHCs are working to reduce the negative impact of missed appointments and lapses in treatment for those living with diabetes.

Lindsey Karlson, director of quality improvement for the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas (CHAD), gathered diabetes content experts to address diabetes initiatives, treatment guidelines, and care planning. “This four-part series will provide relevant updates, actionable information and resources to primary care teams as they celebrate National Diabetes Awareness.  An overview of the Four-Part Series is below:

Learn more. Get registered.

Session 1: Diabetes Screening and Prevention
Monday, November 1st, Noon CT
In this first session, Brianna Monahan and Kayla Magee, Diabetes Program Coordinators in North Dakota and South Dakota, will share statewide diabetes data and trends, review recent updates to diabetes screening recommendations and highlight resources available to healthcare providers to increase awareness of prediabetes among their patient population. They will conclude the session with a review of diabetes prevention programs available in North and South Dakota.

Session 2: A Review of Evidence Based and Clinical Guidelines in Treatment of Diabetes
Monday, November 8th, Noon CT
In this session, Dr. Eric Johnson will review current evidence-based and clinical guidelines in treatment of diabetes. The session will review medical and lifestyle management of diabetes, diabetes in older adults and highlight new ADA guidelines related screening for social determinants of health in diabetes care.

Session 3: Diabetes Self-Management Best Practices and Resources
Monday November 15th at Noon CT
Sue Johannsen, CNP, PA, CDCES and Diabetes Coordinator at Avera Medical Group, will discuss diabetes self-management best practices and resources. Sue will review interventions that successfully lowered patient A1Cs by an average of 2%. She will also highlight the role of the care team in providing high-quality diabetes care.

Session 4: Engaging Tribal Communities in Addressing Health Disparities
Monday, November 22nd at Noon CT
In this final session, Dr. Billie Jo Kipp, clinical psychologist and Associate Director for Research and Evaluation, Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute, will discuss disparities in care among Native American populations and present a model of diabetes intervention that includes case-based learning, community empowerment and an adaptation of a medical model of culturally supported care of patients with diabetes.


Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas LogoCHAD serves as the primary care association for North and South Dakota with a mission to provide access to health care for all Dakotans regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Focused on reducing diabetes burden and improving quality of life, CHAD is partnering with the Great Plains QIN to offer the Diabetes Lunch and Learn series. Access the Learning Series registration page to lean more and register to attend!