Diabetes Overview
An innovative approach to care for people with diabetes.The Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute (DHWI) is a health equity improvement and outreach model designed to improve access to health care and health outcomes among people living in the southern Dallas neighborhoods surrounding Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. The Institute is an affiliate of Baylor, and a joint effort with the City of Dallas.
By educating community members about diabetes and health promoting behaviors, engaging them in activities that promote these behaviors, and providing them with medical care, the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute improves the overall health and wellness of the community. Improved health and wellness translates into improved quality of life and a better sense of empowerment which can positively impact community revitalization and economic growth.
Areas of Need
DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program is an interactive and collaborative program that involves an interdisciplinary team of diabetes educators. It empowers people with diabetes to successfully self-manage their disease through building knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and effectively communicate with health care providers.
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER TRAINING PROGRAM
The Community Health Worker Training Program provides training and education to community health workers or “promotoras” who: 1) provide cultural mediation between health care, social services and the community, 2) link people to services, and 3) build individual, community/system capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through activities. Training trusted members of the local community to communicate information helps change attitudes and beliefs that preclude people from accessing services.
SENIOR EXERCISE PROGRAM
Senior Exercise Programs improve activities of daily living, functional fitness, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and endurance. Health benefits from the senior exercise program at DHWI are contingent on achievement of each participant’s behavior change goal related to “being active.” The program enhances self-efficacy and improving physical function.
COOKING CLASSES AND FARM STAND
Through cooking classes at DHWI, participants learn how to create healthier meals from foods that are readily available to them. They learn how to select foods and prepare meals designed to promote weight loss, help normalize serum lipid levels and control blood sugar. Participants have access to many of these nutritious foods through the Institute’s weekly Farm Stand.
Your contribution can help Baylor Health Care System Foundation fund new research and treatment options for people with diabetes. Please give online or call 214-820-3136 to discuss your gift today.
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facts
More than 1.8 million adults in Texas have diabetes.
Diabetes rates are higher among minority populations.
One-of-every-five health care dollars in Texas is spent caring for someone diagnosed with diabetes.
During its first 18 months of operation, DHWI has provided services to 2,800 individuals in the southern Dallas community.
Emergency room visits by DHWI participants reduced significantly during the first year.