North Central Health District

Macon-Bibb County Health Department offers Diabetes Support Group

Posted August 20, 2024 by Michael Hokanson

The Macon-Bibb County Health Department (MBCHD) plans to host a Diabetes Support Group beginning Thursday, Aug. 22, 11am – 12pm at the health department, located at 1600 Forsyth Street, Macon, GA.

Subsequent meetings will take place on the fourth Thursday of each month, and participants can enroll at any time by calling 478-745-0411 at extension 4 or by asking for the health education team. To be eligible for the group, participants must be

• Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
• Over the age of 18 years old
• Not pregnant

The diabetes support group aims to provide education, encouragement, and peer guidance for individuals diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The health education team leading the program will utilize the American Diabetes Association’s Life with Diabetes curriculum to deliver high-quality diabetes self-management education and provide participants with the support, information, and tools they need to live healthfully with diabetes.

“We are excited to launch this new diabetes program,” said Courtney Fogg, the health education specialist leading the program. “We think it will provide the education, emotional support, and resources for those managing this chronic condition.”

Participants can expect to learn about the effects of physical exercise on blood glucose and the importance of nutritional adjustments for changes in activity levels. To empower the group, the instructors will encourage participants to share personal goals, blood glucose and/or A1C levels, and weight loss progress if comfortable.

Through a shared journey of managing diabetes, Macon-Bibb County residents living with this condition can foster a sense of community and encourage a healthier, more balanced lifestyle among their peers.

Along with self-care and management techniques, the class will also address the social determinants of health that could pose as barriers to participants, such as inadequate transportation to grocery stores, food insecurity, and access to gyms and other places of exercise. Navigating these obstacles is key to success.

Finally, instructors will teach participants the science behind diabetes. They will learn the following concepts:

• The definition of diabetes mellitus
• The science behind metabolic disorders
• The relationship between the pancreas, insulin, and other hormones
• The foundations of metabolism and diet
• Signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia
• The differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
• The importance of medication adherence when battling diabetes

MBCHD found a need for this program after conducting focus group research to ask community members what services they needed most. The overwhelming answer was diabetes support education.

“When we saw the results of the focus group tests, we knew that we had to take action. Nationwide, diabetes affects over 37 million Americans, with Type 2 diabetes accounting for about 90-95% of all cases. It can lead to kidney failure, adult blindness, and lower limb amputations, which are the outcomes we want to avoid. That’s why we are so excited to start this program,” said Fogg.

In Georgia, approximately 1 million people (12.4%) have been diagnosed with diabetes, and an estimated 230,000 people are believed to have diabetes but are unaware. Additionally, between 2014 and 2018, diabetes caused 104,098 hospitalizations and 154,761 ER visits in Georgia.

To learn more about diabetes statistics in Georgia, visit dph.georgia.gov/chronic-disease-prevention/diabetes.

Additional information about the American Diabetes Association’s Life with Diabetes curriculum can be found at diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/type-2.