b'Diabetes Self-ManagementPrograms WorkBy Michelle Harris and Debra YoungReachingruralpopulationswithdiabeteseducationprovides support to organizations across the state to isapriorityforthehealthcareteamatBeaufortsuccessfully implement diabetes education programs.JasperHamptonComprehensiveHealthServices (BJHCHS)intheLowcountry.BJHCHSisaBJHCHSmakesDSMESmoreavailableby federally qualified health center that provides medicalproviding the following to participants:care in an area where access is limited due to the rural nature of the three southernmost counties in SouthA sliding scale fee for under- and uninsured Carolina.residentsA 340B pharmacy to provides medication at BJHCHSNutritionDirector,ValerieMuehleman,discounted rates overseesthreeprograms,includingDiabetesSelf- Offering transportation to certain campusesManagementEducationandSupport(DSMES),The Ryan White Program for those with diabetes aDiabetesCaseManagementprogramandtheand HIVNational Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP).Foot care, fundal eye exams and dental services at Gettingintoadiabetesmanagementprogramis4 BJHCHS sitesimportanttohelpmanagediabetesbecausehavingBehavioral health servicessupportissoimportant.NotfeelingaloneontheMedical nutrition therapyjourneyleadstomore successfulstories,asTheDSMESprogram peoplebounceideasoffatBJHCHS,whichhas eachotherinclassforbeenaccreditedbythe bettereating,exerciseAmericanAssociation ideasandoverallpickingofDiabetesEducators up health habits from one(AADE) since 2014, offers another, says Muehleman. aseriesofclassesthat cover 7 self-care behaviors. TheburdenofdiabetesOne of the most important issignificantinthestate.of these behaviors is eating Thelatestdatarankshealthy.Muehleman SCsixthhighestinthesaysthatsheadvisesher nationinthepercentageclients to take simple steps oftheadultpopulationtoimprovetheirdiets, withdiabetesin2020.AfricanAmericansaremoreincluding eatingmorebakedthanfriedfoods,and likely to have diabetes and are twice as likely to dieif you want something fried, eat that once a month from diabetes than their white counterparts. To helpinstead of every day or every week. She encourages addressthesealarmingfacts,theDHECDivisionprogramparticipantsto, balanceoutwhatyoueat, ofDiabetesandHealthDiseaseManagementstayawayfromsugarydrinksandwatchportion 24IMARA'