• November 2024 Newsletter: A Call to Action on World Diabetes Day

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Supporting the Well-Being of People With Diabetes:
A Call to Action on World Diabetes Day

By Sara Herbelin, MS, MCHES, CDCES, CD(DONA), LCCE

Sara Herbelin is a certified diabetes care and education specialist, Health Edco & Childbirth Graphics health educator, and a member of our Health Edco & Childbirth Graphics advisory boards.

World Diabetes Day on November 14 serves as a reminder to healthcare professionals worldwide about the crucial role they play in managing and improving the lives of people with diabetes. As we face rising global diabetes rates, it’s important that we go beyond clinical care and focus on empowering people with diabetes through education, support, and self-management strategies.

Education is at the heart of effective diabetes management. It equips people with diabetes with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health, particularly in managing blood glucose levels, medication, and lifestyle choices. Providing access to educational tools—such as booklets, interactive classes, support groups, or apps—can bridge the gap between clinical advice and self-management.



For example, our 16-page Diabetes Booklet is a great educational handout for patients with diabetes. The booklet uses easy-to-understand language to provide key information about type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. With honest discussions about diabetic complications that can occur when diabetes is not well controlled, the booklet emphasizes the importance of diabetes management by highlighting the role of diet, physical activity, medication, self-care, and working with your healthcare team.



Educational tools are especially valuable in self-management classes. They can help set the tone of group gatherings with positive messages to empower people with diabetes.



For example, our Managing Diabetes Pop-Up Banner helps people see the big picture of their role in diabetes management. The banner’s large size (31½" x 74½") and upbeat tone make it ideal for group educational settings. Colorful images remind viewers to practice the essentials of diabetes care: Eat nutritious foods, be physically active, maintain self-care, and work with your healthcare team. Displaying this banner is a powerful reminder to everyone with diabetes that taking charge of their health and keeping their diabetes under control is key for a healthier life.
Simplifying concepts like glucose management with visual aids can help people with diabetes better grasp how their behaviors affect their long-term health outcomes. One half of our interactive A1C Levels: An Inside Look Model represents healthy blood glucose and A1C levels with a small number of glucose particles and a red blood cell model that has few glucose particles attached to it. By contrast, the model’s other red blood cell contains excess glucose particles and floats through simulated plasma full of glucose particles, representing high A1C and blood glucose levels.

Health Edco has many more engaging and effective diabetes education materials and models—including nutrition education models, 3-D displays, and more—that are perfect to promote patient education about and commitment to proper diabetes care.

On World Diabetes Day 2024, let’s commit to bolstering our efforts in patient education. By fostering knowledge and support, we can help improve both the immediate and long-term well-being of people with diabetes, guiding them toward healthier and more empowered lives.

The information contained in this newsletter is not intended to replace the advice of a healthcare professional.


©2024 Health Edco®