In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled as the American population has aged and become more overweight or obese.¹ According to the North Dakota Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, over 50,000 North Dakotans have diabetes; which is over 8 percent of the population. The number is comparable in South Dakota. In addition, there are nearly 200,000 North Dakotans and 220,000 South Dakotans living with prediabetes and many more who are undiagnosed. Access the 2021 American Diabetes Association Fact Sheets: North Dakota | South Dakota.
November is National Diabetes Month; this year’s focus is on prediabetes and preventing diabetes. There is good news; about 9 in 10 cases in the United States can be avoided by making lifestyle changes. In addition, there are a multitude of partners and initiatives in the Dakotas striving to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve the quality of life with those living with diabetes.
Check out the engaging and innovative Undo the Risk Campaign, developed by the South Dakota Department of Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program. The Campaign offers comical and relatable videos of events that individuals wish they could UNDO while emphasizing that individuals with prediabetes CAN undo their risk. In addition to the videos, the campaign site boasts a providers’ section complete with education, referral resources, toolkits and implementation guides.
Learn more about efforts in North Dakota, via the North Dakota Diabetes Prevention Program. Here you will find information on diabetes education programs, certifications, the National Diabetes Prevention Partnership (DPP) and resources for healthcare professionals and patients.
Through a network of local leaders, community organizations and health systems, NDC3 delivers programs to help individuals manage chronic health conditions, prevent falls, and foster well-being. If an individual is coping with diabetes or other chronic conditions, NDC3 can support efforts to live life as fully and independently as possible.
The Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas (CHAD) is hosting a four-part Lunch and Learn Series throughout November. The series will feature diabetes content experts to address diabetes initiatives, treatment guidelines and care planning. The first session took place on November 1, but the Series continues each Monday in November. Learn more and get registered.
Session 1: Diabetes Screening and Prevention (Past Event | Recording Available)
Monday, November 1 | Noon CT
In this first session, Brianna Monahan and Kayla Magee, Diabetes Program Coordinators in North Dakota and South Dakota, shared statewide diabetes data and trends, reviewed recent updates to diabetes screening recommendations and highlighted resources available to healthcare providers to increase awareness of prediabetes among their patient population. They concluded the session with a review of diabetes prevention programs available in North and South Dakota. Access the session recording.
Session 2: A Review of Evidence Based and Clinical Guidelines in Treatment of Diabetes
Monday, November 8 | 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 15 | Noon CT
Sue Johannsen, CNP, PA, CDCES and Diabetes Coordinator at Avera Medical Group, will join us to 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 22 | Noon CT
In our 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.
Source: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Diabetes Fast Facts | June 2020