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Summary

University of Georgia County Extension Agent educates citizens on chronic disease prevention and management.

Situation

In the United States, 1 of 2 people have at least 1 chronic disease, representing 145 million Americans. Twenty-eight percent of all Americans have two or more chronic conditions. Nationally, chronic diseases account for 75% of the $2 trillion spent on health care each year in the United States. The most common chronic diseases include arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke. Prediabetes (borderline diabetes) affects the lives of approximately 1.1% or 79,720 Georgia adults. http://www.livehealthygeorgia.org/peoplediabetes.shtml Diabetes affects the lives of approximately 9.7 % or 703,289 Georgia adults. http://www.livehealthygeorgia.org/peoplediabetes.shtml Seventy two percent (72%) of Georgia diabetics have hypertension, Sixty three percent (63%) of Georgia diabetics have high cholesterol, Fourteen percent (14% of Georgia diabetics are current smokers and fifty three percent (53%) of Georgia diabetics are obese (BMI guidelines). “Diabetes” section –Live Healthy Georgiawebsite http://ww.livehealthy.org/peoplediabetes.shtml Diabetes is costly. •Health care utilization associated costs (2006) are astronomical. •Hospital charges were more than $288 million. •Urgent care costs (emergency room visits were more than $3.2 million. •The average hospital charge per patient was $18,470 and the average length of hospital stay per patient was 5 days. •Estimated total economic cost was more than $5.1 billion. •(Diabetes in Georgia 2009 Prevalence, Risk Factors and Prevention)

Response

The Family and Consumer Science Agent implemented nutrition and diabetes education programming. Activities target physical activity, nutrition, community involvement and obesity awareness prevention. The following efforts were included in nutrition and diabetes education: •Created opportunities for diabetes education in the community. •Established diabetes education groups where individuals meet regularly to learn about the prevention and management of diabetes. •Conducted five Diabetes Healthy Meal Preparation Seminars. •Distributed Diabetes Life Lines newsletters. •Participated in Health/Nutrition Fairs.

Impact

In DeKalb County, 409 adults participated in diabetes education programming and 53 adults participated in mini diabetes cooking schools. Overall, people who participate in diabetes education programming are making improved health/nutrition choices for themselves. •49% of participants reported increasing fruits, vegetables and whole grains in the diet •57% of participants reported they used carbohydrate counting as part of their meal planning. •65% tested their blood glucose (sugar) levels daily. •59% reported they read food labels.

State Issue

Food, Nutrition and Health

Details

  • Year: 2013
  • Geographic Scope: County
  • County: DeKalb
  • Program Areas:
    • Family and Consumer Sciences

Author

  • Hill, Jessica E.
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Extension Impact