DIABETES EDUCATION SERVICE MERITS ADA RECOGNITION

SW FLORIDA – The prestigious American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) service was recently awarded to the Diabetes Alliance Network (DAN) and Core Health Partners, a licensed medical provider birthed though the DAN movement. The Diabetes Alliance Network unites agencies that support those who live with, or care for someone with diabetes. Through the DAN effort access to education, mental health, medical supplies, and scholarships are offered to those in need.DAN’s DSMES service was originally awarded Recognition in July of 2019. After successfully completing a year of service Core Health Partners adds another Recognized DSMES service site at the Academy of Sanchez Casal Center for Health Performance located in North Naples (FL). The ADA believes that this service offers high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.

The Association’s Education Recognition Certificate assures Core Health Partners educational services meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. The DSMES Standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994, 2000, 2007, 2012, and 2017.

DSMES service providers apply for Recognition voluntarily. Services that achieve Recognition status, such as Core Health Partners, have proven their staff includes knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management. “The process gives health professionals, like Core Health Partners, a national standard by which to measure the quality of services they provide, comments Joe Balavage, the Co-Founder of Help a Diabetic Child (HADC) and founder to the recent Diabetes Alliance Network movement. “And, of course, it assures the consumer receives high-quality service.” Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA. The ADA Recognition allows medical payers (insurance) to cover DSME as a medical benefit, covered by most insurances including Medicaid. Through the efforts of DAN and Help a Diabetic Child persons living with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, who is referred to the DSMES are assured access to diabetes education, regardless of the individual’s insurance, or ability to pay. The DSMES, delivered by Core Health Partners, is available in the traditional in-person format and through tele-health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2017 National Diabetes Statistic Report there are 30.3 million people or 9.4% of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 23.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 7.2 million people are not aware that they have this disease. Each day more than 3,900 people are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease, and amputation. About 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 18 years or older in 2015. Diabetes continues to be the seventh leading cause of death in the US in 2015 as it contributed to 252,806 deaths.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading non-profit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy and information for health professionals, people with diabetes and the public. Founded in 1940, the Association continues to support people affected by diabetes nationwide.

For more information on Recognized education services in your area or other American Diabetes Association programs, call the ADA office at 1.800. DIABETE (342-2383) or contact the ADA online at www.diabetes.org/erp.