Adventist Health introduces 'Diabetes among Friends' education series

The five-week course is taught in English and Spanish by Adventist Health registered nurses, medical assistants and registered dietitians. Each session covers a different aspect of diabetes and includes a hands-on activity. For example, when the instructor is discussing nutrition, participants will have the opportunity to build portion plates with food models to help identify food groups. The other sessions include getting to know diabetes, coping and physical activity, managing medication and living well with diabetes.

“Participants must attend all five sessions to truly understand the different areas of diabetes and have the ability to impact their own lives and outcomes,” says Rebecca Russell, Community Wellness Director.

Russell has been working for months to bring the course, Project Dulce, to Adventist Health. It was developed 20 years ago by Scripps Health in San Diego to address the diabetes epidemic, which is what the Central Valley is facing.

“In the San Joaquin Valley, 49 percent of adults are estimated to have pre-diabetes and over 10 percent are estimated to have type 2 diabetes,” says Russell. “We need to do something to empower people to take their health into their own hands, as much as possible.”

Anyone can attend a class, but it’s designed for those with pre-diabetes, diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes and for loved ones who want to learn more.

 The first class begins Wednesday, July 12. For the entire schedule, or to learn more, please contact Russell at 559-537-0083 or email RusselRA@ah.org.