Tuesday Update: Take Charge of Your Diabetes! Why Education Is the Key to Better Health

If you have diabetes, you’ve probably heard a million times that managing your blood sugar is important. But did you know that people who participate in diabetes education programs are significantly more likely to follow key self-care and preventive care practices? A new study using data from 43 states found that those who received diabetes education were more likely to test their blood sugar daily, check their feet, stay physically active, and keep up with crucial screenings like eye exams and A1C tests.

Key Findings of the Study: This research, based on data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), examined how many adults with diabetes received diabetes education and whether it made a difference in their self-care. The study found that:

• Shockingly, only 52% of adults with diabetes reported ever participating in diabetes education, highlighting the need for increased awareness and enrollment. Participation was lowest among Hispanics (42.6%), those without a high school diploma (36.9%), and the uninsured (39.5%).

  
  

• Those who did receive diabetes education were significantly more likely to follow all 10 recommended self-care and preventive care practices, such as getting vaccinated, having their A1C tested twice a year, and checking their feet daily.

Why This Matters for You

If you have diabetes, you already know that managing it can feel like a full-time job. But this study proves that education makes a real difference—not just in understanding diabetes but in actually following through with the daily habits that keep you healthy. The benefits are huge: better blood sugar control, fewer complications, and a higher quality of life.

Unfortunately, participation in diabetes education remains low, even though it’s recommended by major health organizations like the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES). In fact, research shows that people who skip diabetes education are four times more likely to develop complications.

Take Control of Your Diabetes Today

If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, now is the time to take action. At Haiku Nutritional Empowerment, we offer a comprehensive online diabetes education program to fit your lifestyle. Our program provides: ✅ Short, easy-to-follow lessons you can access anytime ✅ Personalized support from a registered dietitian and diabetes educator ✅ A supportive community to keep you motivated ✅ Practical strategies to improve blood sugar control.

Enroll Today

Getting started is simple:

1. Visit haikunutrition.net to learn more about our program.

2. Sign up for a free consultation to see if our program is right for you.

3. Join our community and start your journey to better diabetes management today!

Don’t wait—take control of your health now and make diabetes management easier with expert guidance and support!

Ravi A, Koyama S, Cho SMJ, et al. Genetic Predisposition to Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Incident Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA Cardiol. Published online January 15, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2024.5072