Diabetes education, also called diabetes self-management training, gives people with diabetes the knowledge, skills and tools they need to partner with their physician and other health care providers to successfully manage their diabetes and avoid many of the complications associated with the disease. Since 99% of diabetes is self-care, self-management education is crucial. At St. John Health, we specialize in self-management classes and provide specialists in endocrinology and wound treatment. Our Diabetes Outpatient Education Programs are recognized and certified by the American Diabetes Association.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use the insulin produced properly. There are three types of diabetes, type 1 (formerly called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes), type 2 (formerly called adult-onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes) and gestational diabetes (diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy).
Diabetes Costs Are Soaring
Diabetes costs $132 billion a year in medical costs and lost productivity, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) found in a 2003 study. Those costs have gone up 35 percent since 1997. Medical costs for people with diabetes are about 2.4 times higher than those of people who don't have diabetes. Possible solutions: Better access to preventive care, more widespread diagnosis, better disease management and new medical technologies.
