Wisconsin Department of Health Services

• Diabetes education and support has been shown to improve health and wellness for people with diabetes.
• Diabetes education is covered by Medicare and most health insurance plans when offered through an accredited program. Programs are recognized and accredited through the American Diabetes Association and the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (see map below).
• Healthy Living with Diabetes is an evidence-based workshop offered by the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging in English and Spanish. For more information on where Healthy Living with Diabetes is available, go to Find a Workshop | WIHA and select the “Healthy Living with Diabetes” option under the “Curriculum” tab.

Wisconsin Lions Foundation’s Diabetes Educational Videos can be viewed on YouTube (below), or ordered by calling 1-877-463-6953 (toll-free)

• Diabetes Self-Care Guide, P-43081, is available in English, Spanish and Hmong for download. The guide explains how diabetes affects you and what you can do to take care of yourself. There is space in the back to keep track of your diabetes care and set health goals.
• Blood Glucose (Sugar) Log Booklet, P-00246 is available in English and Spanish. Log your blood glucose (sugar) results each day and use the results to make lifestyle changes. Share your results with your health care providers so they can make changes to your medicine if needed.
• My Blood Pressure Log from the American Heart Association can be used to keep track of your blood pressure. Measure it regularly at home and share it with your health care provider. It’s important to know and track your blood pressure, since having diabetes increases your risk for heart disease.

There are many diabetes medications that can be used to improve glucose (sugar) levels. You and your health care provider can decide which are the best for you. Some medications can cause blood sugar levels to go too low. This can be dangerous. See the American Diabetes Association sources listed to learn about diabetes medications and how to keep yourself safe while taking them.

It’s not uncommon for people with diabetes to need two or more medications. Some medications can be expensive. If you have concerns about medication costs, here are resources.

Safe Disposal of sharps and needles: It is illegal to put needles and other sharp medical items in the trash, recycling or medication collection drop boxes. If sharps are put in the trash or recycling or flushed down the toilet, they can injure sanitation workers or cause equipment problems. Therefore, it is important to properly package and dispose of all sharps.

Eating healthy with diabetes does not mean you have to give up your favorite foods. These resources provide tips for meal planning, grocery shopping, and diabetes-friendly recipes.

Not having enough food or adequate healthy food to eat can make it difficult to be healthy with diabetes.

Along with eating well and taking medicine, being physically active is an important part of managing diabetes. There are many ways to be active daily. See the resources listed for ideas that are safe and effective.

Don’t use tobacco, or get the help you need to quit. Visit the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line or call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) to get free access to coaching and medication to help you quit.

Many parts of our body, like eyes, feet, heart, kidney, mouth, sexual and immune systems, can be affected by diabetes. Check out the sources listed to learn more about how to keep your body healthy with diabetes.

These guidelines show how often health checks, lab work, and other screenings are needed to keep yourself healthy with diabetes.

Taking care of ourselves when we have diabetes requires a lot of effort. It can lead to stress. Sometimes we may have feelings of sadness, grief, anger, and frustration. This is normal. If we have these feelings and they do not go away it is time to seek help.

About 1 in 28 Americans under the age of 20 have diabetes. For example, in 2017–2018, the number of new cases of diabetes in children and teens was estimated at 18,200 with type 1 diabetes and 5,300 with type 2 diabetes.

Camps are a great way for children and teens with diabetes to meet other kids like them, build self-confidence, and learn about healthy lifestyle through education, physical activity, emotional well-being, and keeping blood sugars healthy.

The Chronic Disease Prevention Program is committed to sharing chronic disease data with Wisconsin communities.

Explore maps and data resources by topic on our Maps and Data webpage.

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) and Diabetes Self-Management Programs (DSMP) are an essential part of care for all people with diabetes. DSMES and DSMP is the ongoing process of strengthening the knowledge, skills, and ability necessary for self-care for someone with diabetes. The Chronic Disease Prevention Program supports improved access and participation in DSMES and DSMP. DSMES and DSMP are cost-effective tools proven to improve health behaviors and health outcomes for people with diabetes. DSMES and DSMP can help people with diabetes live longer, healthier lives by preventing or delaying complications. We work with health systems through Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality, the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, pharmacies through Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network Wisconsin and the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, Community Health Workers, local health departments and Community Based Organizations to increase access to and participation in DSMP and DSMES programs.

• Healthy Living with Diabetes is an evidence-based workshop offered by the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging in English and Spanish. For more information on where Healthy Living with Diabetes is available, go to Find a Workshop | WIHA and select the “Healthy Living with Diabetes” option under the “Curriculum” tab.
• Diabetes education is covered by Medicare and most health insurance plans when offered through an accredited program. Programs are recognized and accredited through the American Diabetes Association and the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (see map below).

Community health worker (CHW) engagement.

CHWs can be found working in many different places like health departments, community organizations, hospitals, clinics, and schools.

CHWs work under different job titles, including promotores(as) de salud, community health representatives, doulas, neighborhood navigators, patient navigators, and peer educators, just to name a few.

Many health care clinics and systems use electronic health records and health information technology to measure and track clinical quality measures.

Our program promotes the adoption of standardized clinical quality measures to prevent and manage diabetes. Additionally, we promote the adoption of these measures to improve monitoring of health and health care disparities among populations and inform activities to eliminate them. Below are our current partnerships specific to these efforts:

• The Chronic Disease Quality Improvement Project is a collaboration between Wisconsin health plans and the Department of Health Services’ Chronic Disease Prevention Program. The project was established in 1998, with an initial focus on diabetes. Over the years, its scope expanded to include other chronic diseases and their risk factors. Members evaluate and report chronic disease prevention and health care quality measures. They also share information, population-based strategies, and evidence-based approaches to improve care.
• The Wisconsin Primary Healthcare Association (WPHCA) members support, promote, and work in Community Health Centers. Community Health Centers are community-based, patient-centered clinics working to improve the health of patients and communities facing financial, cultural, and geographical barriers to receiving high-quality affordable health care. They are also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
• The Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ) is a group of health systems and stakeholders that works on collaborative projects to improve patient outcomes, system performance, and care affordability in Wisconsin. WCHQ publicly reports electronic health record-derived performance measures to drive health care quality improvement.

The Chronic Disease Prevention Program (CDPP) works with community pharmacies in Wisconsin to increase availability of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) and Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPPs) in the state.

• Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network Wisconsin (CPESN-WI) is focused on improving the health of patients by working collaboratively with other health care providers. CPESN works to improve patient health, provider outcomes and quality ratings, and promote a healthy bottom line for insurers. Working with CPESN we are improving access to diabetes education including Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support and National Diabetes Prevention Program within community pharmacies.
• Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) is a professional organization for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Wisconsin that offers continuing education courses, advocacy, resources, and networking opportunities. We work with the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin and their Wisconsin Pharmacy Quality Collaborative program to engage pharmacists in educating and supporting patients with diabetes.