February 20, 2023  – Did you know that 90-95% of all cases of diabetes are considered Type 2 and that this type is preventable?

According to the 2021 Diabetes Report by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Personnel Cabinet,

• Kentucky has the 4th highest mortality rate from diabetes in the United States
•  The diabetes rate in Appalachia Kentucky is 17% (compared to 12% in non-Appalachia KY)
• Diabetes rates by region are as follows: Big Sandy Region – 23.4%; KY River Region – 22.1%; and Cumberland Valley Region – 20.9%.
• 331,335 adults in Kentucky have diagnosed prediabetes and an estimated 812,000 Kentuckians have prediabetes but are undiagnosed

Those facts are part of what led ARH to apply for the Spring 2022 Healthy Communities Initiative grant funding from The Pallottine Group of Huntington. Thanks to funding from the grant, ARH has been able to hold 5 monthly diabetes support group meetings in Floyd, Johnson and Pike counties. These ongoing meetings are for individuals with diabetes but family and support caregivers are welcome to attend too.

Ashley Webb, Systems Diabetes Education Coordinator, says, “We meet the last Thursday of each month at 10:00 AM, rotating between Paintsville and Prestonsburg and at 2:00 PM at Tug Valley ARH. Participants receive diabetes education as well as a food demonstration. They receive a sample of the food that is demonstrated and then they take the ingredients home with them.”

Webb continued saying, “Diabetes support groups provide an opportunity to share personal experiences and find tips for managing diabetes. They can be a source of empowerment, giving people tools to improve their symptoms and quality of life. Additionally, individuals can benefit from building relationships with others in a similar situation.”

Now, there is a virtual option to attend the meetings. Webb says, “Whether you are traveling, working, have transportation issues or just can’t leave your home, you can now attend virtually and receive the same information, recipes and handouts electronically as those that attend in person.” Webb wanted to make sure that the meetings and information were readily available to anyone dealing with diabetes.

Pre-registration is required for all in-person participants. For anyone wishing to attend virtually, join at 10:00 AM at https://zoom.us/my/arhdiabetes . For anyone wanting more information or to register for the next meeting, please contact Ashley Webb at 606.788.6407 or email her at ewebb2@arh.org

The February in-person meetings will be at the Floyd County Health Department Community Room in Prestonsburg at 10:00 AM and at the Tug Valley ARH Administrative Conference Room in South Williamson at 2:00 PM.