705-P: Health Extension: A Better Way to Manage Diabetes?

Abstract

Background: Given the increasing number of individuals with diabetes who live in settings with limited access to care, new models of care delivery for management of diabetes are critical. Health Extension for Diabetes (HED), a community-based non-clinical diabetes education program delivered by a Health Extension Agent, is based on the AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors for Managing Diabetes. Methods: This intervention is a mixed-methods research study with a primary outcome to reduce/prevent complications associated with diabetes. Goal assessment metrics were selected by clinical, non-clinical and evaluation staff, and resulted in 3 categories: health behaviors, health outcomes, and healthcare utilization. Pre/post analysis of graduates in HED cohorts 1-3 focuses on health behaviors and health outcomes with emphasis on 2 crucial measures, diet and exercise. Pre/post data were compared using Stata 15. Results: Table 1 shows client demographics and the pre/post analysis of several variables collected during evaluation process. Conclusion: Overall, this novel educational diabetes self-management support intervention was found to be effective shown through the short-term outcome measures. This new method increased client physical activity and confidence (self-efficacy) in regard to diabetes management while lowering consumption of sugary beverages. Disclosure C.J. Dietz: None. P. Tilkemeier: None. W.W. Sherrill: None. D.E. McFall: None. M.D. Stancil: None. M.A. Parisi: None. C. Beauchamp: None. H.N. White: None. Funding Greenville Health Authority