(River Falls, Wisconsin) — The prestigious American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education program was recently awarded to Debra Sanders, Registered Dietician and Tami Gregg, Registered Dietician of the River Falls and Ellsworth Medical Clinics. ADA believes that this program offers high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.
The Association’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. These Standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994 and 2000.
Programs apply for Recognition voluntarily. Programs that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management “The process gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality of services they provide,” says Debra Sanders, RD, CD of the River Falls Medical Clinic, “of course, it assures the consumer that he or she will receive high-quality service.” Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for three years, meaning the River Falls and Ellsworth Medical Clinics will not need to apply for Recognition status until 2012.
According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 20.8 million people or 7% of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 6.2 million people are not aware they have this disease. Each day approximately 4,110 people are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one if its life-threatening complications — heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and nerve disease and amputation.
Diabetes contributed to 224,092 deaths in 2002. Since 1987 the death rate due to diabetes has increased by 45%, while the death rates due to heart disease, stroke, and cancer have declined.
To help patients with pre-diabetes, Debra Sanders, Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator, offers a class that will teach you how to effectively keep track of your daily carbohydrate intake, make appropriate lifestyle choices, and delay or prevent the development of diabetes. Topics covered include: How to decrease insulin resistance; portion sizes and food measurement; reading food labels and other resources to count your carbohydrates; the importance of physical activity; and the role of stress and sleep as risk factors for diabetes. This class fee is $10 and covers patients and one guest. Classes are scheduled regularly.
Studies show patients with diabetes who work with diabetes educators have better outcomes in managing their disease. These diabetes education consults are typically covered by most insurance providers.
The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading non-profit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy and information for health professionals, patients and the public. Founded in 1940, the Association has an area office in every state and conducts programs in communities nationwide.
For more information on recognized education programs in River Falls and Ellsworth or other American Diabetes Association programs, call your local ADA office or contact the ADA online at
www.diabetesorg. To learn more about managing your pre-diabetes or diabetes, call the River Falls Medical Clinic at 425-6701, or visit
www.wwma.org
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