Free Resource Friday | April Newsletter Now Available!
The Teens Aren’t Alright | April Newsletter
For this newsletter, we take a look at how our social environment is impacting this vulnerable age group. The habits established as teenagers are carried forward into adulthood and influence long term health outcomes. As parents, mentors and diabetes educators, are there actions we can take today to improve the health of our teens for tomorrow?
- Black & Hispanic Youth; Targets of Junk-Food Ads
- Most U.S. kids not meeting sleep, exercise & screen time targets
- Teens weight self-perception affects health
- U.S. fast food chains offering more healthy options for kids
Click here to read our newsletter!
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[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]Express Scripts to Charge max of $25 a month for insulin
More than 30 million Americans have diabetes and approximately 7.4 million require insulin. Between 2002-2013, the average price of insulin nearly tripled, creating financial hardships for people who rely on it to survive.
One company, Cigna’s Express Scripts, is working to lower the price for consumers by the end of the year. “Express Scripts, which manages prescription drug insurance for more than 80 million people, is launching a “patient assurance program” that Steve Miller, Cigna’s chief clinical officer, says “caps the copay for a patient at $25 a month for their insulin — no matter what.”
As the voices of people who rely on insulin are beginning to be heard, lawmakers are starting to take notice. The increase in prices has been deadly for some.
The full retail price of some insulins can cost up to $1,400 per month. Under Scripts new program, people who normally would have to meet their deductible will stay pay only $25 per month for their insulin.
A recent study conducted at Yale found that 25% of people utilizing insulin will dilute or skip doses altogether in order to save money. This can a
“The bottom line is that drug prices are set by drug makers,” he told lawmakers. “The list price for insulin has gone up dramatically — and that’s the price that many patients pay. This is what needs to come down. It’s as simple as that.”
Express Scripts will begin to offer the $25 co-pay deal close to the end of the year to those not covered by a government insurance program.
Insulin should be affordable for all. Click here for additional resources on how you can make a difference.
To learn more: “Express Scripts Takes Steps to Cut Insulin’s Price to Patients” – NPR
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]The Question of the Week – April 2nd, 2019
According to the National Credentialing Board for Diabetes Educators, (NCBDE) the CDCES® Exam Content Outline will be updated starting July 1st, 2019.
To celebrate this update, we will be basing our 2019 Questions of the Week on this content outline. (See a snippet of the NCBDE content outline to the left or click on it to see the complete outline.)
The question of the Week – April 2nd, 2019
These targeted questions are designed to help assess your knowledge of the topics critical to diabetes educators.
In addition, if you are preparing to take the exam, we strongly encourage you to go through each of these sub-categories and rate your knowledge on a scale of 1-5. Based on this self-assessment, spend the majority of your study time on the topic areas you are least comfortable with. This approach will help you become familiar with the exam content and to use your limited study time wisely.
Assessment of the Diabetes Continuum – Learning
For this question in this series, we focus on the Assessment Section, under learning. Here is the question that addresses learning goals and needs of the learner. Good luck!
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]How Inactivity Can Harm Your Brain | Mindful Monday
An unhealthy lifestyle can not only lead to chronic illness like obesity and heart disease, but also cause wear and tear on your brain.
Lack of mobility causes inflammation, which leads to a number of serious chronic illnesses including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers are now finding that inactivity can also lead to a faster decline in thinking and memory.
“We found that people in their middle adulthood who had higher levels of inflammatory markers in their blood tended to decline over the next 20 years at a quicker rate, especially on measures of memory,” Walker said.
To protect your brain functions, it is important to maintain a heart healthy diet, exercise and get plenty of sleep.
When someone gets sick, even a small cold, you see symptoms of systemic inflammation. This inflammation can cause lack of motivation, change in appetite and even changes in mood, which are all changes in brain function.
Researchers believe that long-term inflammation could have lasting effects on brain function.
The study conducted measures inflammation as it correlates with brain function over time. Those with the highest rate of inflammation were more likely to lose brain function at the end of two decades (that were measured for the study).
“This could be happening either because chronic inflammation is directly harming neurons, or because it is exacerbating other brain conditions that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, Walker said. “
Although there could be a plethora of causes for inflammation, scientists believe the best way to combat this and protect your brain would be to live a healthy lifestyle. This includes having healthy eating habits, incorporating exercise and sleeping the recommended hours per night.
To learn more: How Inactivity and Junk Food Can Harm Your Brain – Health Day
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]The Question of the Week – March 27th, 2019
According to the National Credentialing Board for Diabetes Educators, (NCBDE) the CDCES® Exam Content Outline will be updated starting July 1st, 2019.
To celebrate this update, we will be basing our 2019 Questions of the Week on this content outline. (See a snippet of the NCBDE content outline to the left or click on it to see the complete outline.)
The question of the Week – March 27th, 2019
These targeted questions are designed to help assess your knowledge of the topics critical to diabetes educators.
In addition, if you are preparing to take the exam, we strongly encourage you to go through each of these sub-categories and rate your knowledge on a scale of 1-5. Based on this self-assessment, spend the majority of your study time on the topic areas you are least comfortable with. This approach will help you become familiar with the exam content and to use your limited study time wisely.
Assessment of the Diabetes Continuum – Learning
For this question in this series, we focus on the Assessment Section, under learning. Here is the question that addresses learning goals and needs of the learner. Good luck!
Diabetes Alert Year – Screening Tools and Resources 2019
Put on your diabetes detective hat! The last Tuesday of March has historically been designated by the ADA as Diabetes Alert Day. Starting this year, the ADA recognizes that every day provides an opportunity to find people with undetected prediabetes and diabetes.
We want to
Most people with prediabetes have no idea they are living with elevated blood sugars and that they are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Early discovery increases the potential for remission.
For type 2 diabetes, it takes an average of 6.5 years to discover. The Legacy Trial Results demonstrated that early and aggressive treatment of diabetes results in decreased risk of eye, kidney, nerve disease, heart attack and possible death.
(Not to worry, the Question of the Week will be sent out tomorrow 03/27).
7 Actions Diabetes Educators can take to Raise Awareness
- Place a link to the Diabetes Risk Quiz on your work website and invite staff to take the quiz.
- Print out the Risk Quiz and invite staff, volunteers and community members to gain awareness and take action.
- Host a Diabetes Awareness Reception – offer healthy snacks, an information booth and the Risk Quiz.
- Write a short article on Diabetes Prevention for your work-site newsletter and your local newspaper.
- Invite yourself to get interviewed about diabetes prevention with your local radio or TV station.
- Post the Risk Quiz on your social media pages. See how many people you can encourage to take it!
- Provide a presentation on Diabetes Prevention for a local Service Club.
Whether you work in the inpatient or outpatient setting, encourage colleagues to look at A1cs and fasting blood glucose levels to identify those with:
PreDiabetes: A1c of 5.7-6.4% or Fasting BG of 100-125mg or
Diabetes: A1c of 6.5% + or Fasting BG of 126 +
Newly discovered diabetes? Let’s inform the provider so immediate action can be taken to link the person to resources including a diabetes program referral, dietitian, pharmacist, eye care professional, dentist and more.
New prediabetes? Let’s connect people to a Diabetes Prevention Program in their community or encourage them to take advantage of the abundance of online resources and Apps to help with behavior change starting today.
Resources to Help Get the Word Out
Diabetes Prevention Program – Find CDC Diabetes Prevention Programs in your community.
ADA Diabetes Risk Test can identify those at risk and promote behavior change action for individuals and their communities.
Risk Test for PreDiabetes – A user friendly web page that evaluates risk and provides helpful info
“Are you at Risk?” Page by the American Diabetes Association – includes the Risk Test, strategies to lower risk and information on predidabetes.
Screening and Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus 2019– One page cheat sheet that summarizes screening, risk status and diagnostic criteria for diabetes.
My Health Advisor by ADA
The path to good health just got a lot easier. Enter some basic health
information and My Health Advisor will calculate risk for type 2
diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
BMI Calculator – A fast and easy way to calculate a patients BMI
National Institutes of Health – Managing Diabetes – It’s Not Easy, But It’s Worth It
Exercise Resource Page – We created this resource page so that you would have helpful exercise resources available for you and your colleagues. There are handouts and links that you can share with patients too!
Apps for Diabetes – an array of apps that reviewers have found helpful for people living with diabetes.
Diabetes Educators can take a leadership role in their workplace and communities to uncover undetected diabetes.
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]Free Resource Friday: NEW Updated 2019 Medication PocketCards
Now available, new UPDATED 2019 Medication PocketCards.
Download all 4 for FREE!
- Insulin Pocket Card:
— Front side: current insulins, action times, dosing info
— Back side: concentrated insulins and Inhaled Insulin - Injectables, Injectable/Insulin Combo:
— Front side: Injectables with dosing and side effects
— Back side: Injectable/Insulin Combos - Oral Diabetes Medications:
— Complete listing of oral medications including dosing range and considerations. - Combo Oral Medications / Other Diabetes Meds
— Complete listing of all the combined oral medications including doses available. Plus, listing of less commonly used diabetes medications.
Buy our accordion laminated PocketCards – individually or in packs Purchase Now >>
For Quantity Discounts, please contact [email protected]
PocketCard Subscriptions Now Available for Individuals and Organizations! More Info >>
Subscription Benefits Include:
- High resolution PDF of all Medication PocketCards
- Notification of PocketCard changes coupled with PocketCard PDF update
- Accurate, up-to-date medication and insulin information for you or your clinical staff
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]Facebook Live with Coach Beverly
We are almost there! With 2080 followers and 1976 likes, we are 24 likes away from our Facebook Live with Coach Beverly!
Are there questions about diabetes or the Diabetes Certification Exam that you are dying to ask??
Good News! Coach Beverly adores and appreciates our Facebook followers and community. Our goal is to reach 2000 likes by April 1st (We got this).
Coach Beverly will answer questions on Facebook Live – April 1st, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. (PST). At almost 2000 Facebook likes (only 24 more to go) – we are getting ready to celebrate!
In celebration of reaching this goal, she is going to have a Facebook LIVE Q&A Session for 30 minutes on April 1st (no fooling) from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST.
We hope you can join us to get your questions answered.
Just type in your question here, and Coach Beverly will do her best to answer your question within the half hour time frame!
But, this can only happen if we reach 2000 likes by April 1st!
We hope to see you there and invite your friends and colleagues join our community.Join Us on Facebook
With affection,
Coach Beverly and Anne
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