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Lifting People Up with our Words

What we say matters.

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As educators, advocates, spouses, friends, and providers, our use of language can deeply affect the self-view of people living with diabetes every day.

Intentional communication is a powerful tool that can uncover trauma, identify barriers, and move both the provider and person with diabetes toward a greater understanding of the issues involved.

The language used in the health care setting is immensely important in determining trust, mutual respect, and meaningful long term relationships.

Many people with diabetes have experienced injustice, trauma, marginalization, and are often struggling with feelings of shame and blame.

  • Let’s lift people through our commitment to careful listening.
  • Let’s choose the language that is person-centered and free from judgment.
  • Let’s empower our interactions by identifying and addressing trauma and the impact of social determinants.

FREE Mini Webinar – Lifting People Up with Language

Watch 2020 Lifting People Up with Language 33 minute Webinar Now

 Language and Diabetes Powerpoint Handout

FREE Diabetes & Language | Quiz

Topics covered include:

  • Learn phrases, words, and approaches that can be left behind.
  • Describe diabetes language that is respectful, inclusive, person-centered, and imparts hope.
  • Discuss how to evaluate for ACE and provide trauma-informed care.
  • Practice communicating about diabetes using phrases free from judgment with a focus on a strength-based approach.

This mini-webinar is free, and no CEs are provided, but there is lots of great info!


Articles and Resources

Use of Language in Diabetes Care and Education – 2017 ADA & AADE  
Language is powerful and can have a strong impact on perceptions as well as behavior. This article provides recommendations for the language used by health care professionals and others when discussing diabetes through spoken or written words whether directed to people with diabetes, colleagues, or the general public, as well as research questions related to language and diabetes. 

Quick Guide on Diabetes and Language for Health Care Professionals – AADE

Empowerment vs. Compliance Model

Action for Happiness Excellent website filled with actions we can all take to feel better every day.

Trauma-Informed Care Resources

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Resources

ACE Screening Tool and Resilience Inventory

Becoming ACE-Aware Training Program

Nadine Burke Harris, MD TED Talk on How Childhood Trauma affects health

NPR Article – Take the ACE Score and Learn what it does and doesn’t mean

Trauma-Informed Care Fact Sheet

Meds Management for Type 2 |
Standards of Care Intensive 2020
Join us on June 25, 2020, at 11:30 am (PST) 
1.5 CE | $29.00 or No CEsFree

This advanced-level course is designed to help participants determine the best medication choice based on the patient’s unique characteristics. The content incorporates the management guidelines published by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Algorithms. We will discuss the role of lifestyle changes and review the pros and cons of available diabetes medications using a patient-centered approach. In addition, we discuss medication algorithms in detail. Participants not familiar with the basics of diabetes medication may benefit from first enrolling in our “Meds for Type 2” and “Insulin 101 Course.”

Register for FREE live stream webinar (no CEs).


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AccreditationDiabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*  

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

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The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the certification exam. CBDCE and ADCES do not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES or BC-ADM exams, except for those published by CBDCE & ADCES.

**To satisfy the requirement for renewal of certification by continuing education for the Certification Board for Diabetes Care & Education (CBDCE), continuing education activities must be applicable to diabetes and approved by a provider on the CBDCE List of Recognized Providers (www.cbdce.org). CBDCE does not approve continuing education. Diabetes Education Services is accredited/approved by the Commission of Dietetic Registration which is on the list of CBDCE Recognized Providers.

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