According to the Kentucky Department of Public Health, diabetes prevalence has doubled from 2000 to 2021 from 6.5% of adults to 13.8% of Kentucky adults. This rate is also higher than the national average (10.5%), with Kentucky exhibiting the 13^th highest mortality rate from diabetes in the U.S. Certain parts of Kentucky experience higher adult rates of diabetes. For example, Appalachian Kentucky counties exhibit a diagnosed diabetes rate of 16% compared to 13% in non-Appalachian Kentucky counties. It is estimated over 100,000 Kentuckians have diabetes but do not know it. Further, 1 in 3 Kentucky adults have diagnosed or undiagnosed prediabetes, which increases the risk of developing diabetes within 3-5 years. This public health issue is costly for Kentuckians. In 2019, it was estimated that diagnosed diabetes alone cost Kentucky $5.2 billion in total medical costs and lost work and wages.

To address this public health and economic issue, UK Family & Consumer Sciences Extension across Kentucky partnered with relevant community organizations to offer the National Dining with Diabetes Program. The goal of this program is to equip participants with information about building healthy and nutritious meals through diabetes-friendly recipes. Through this program, relevant and timely information is provided to adults with diabetes and/or family members responsible for caregiving, meal planning, and meal preparation. Local entities and healthcare networks consistently look to Extension for trusted and reliable diabetes education materials and recipes, especially in counties and communities with limited resources.

Across the commonwealth, nine counties were able to offer the 5-session program to their clientele through a variety of media (Fayette, Floyd, Laurel, Livingston, Lee, Powell, Pulaski, Rowan, Scott). As a result of the program, 167 individuals reported exercising continuously for 30 minutes on 3 or more days of the week. In addition, 478 individuals reported they cooked more meals at home and 302 individuals utilized portion control as one way to manage diabetes. Finally, 331 individuals feel confident they can keep their diabetes under control or help the person they care for keep their diabetes under control. 

To further support the program across Kentucky and increase use of the program, funding was secured from the American Diabetes Association in collaboration with the UK College of Medicine in fall 2022. The goal of this five-year funded project is to provide individualized medical nutrition therapy to rural residents and support their behavior change through the National Dining with Diabetes program at their local Extension offices. To date, four counties are collaborating with the funded project which will roll out programming in the fall of 2023.