Describe the Issue or Situation.

According to the American Diabetes Association, 13.6% of Kentucky’s population is diagnosed with diabetes. It is estimated that over 100,000 individuals in Kentucky do have diabetes but are undiagnosed. Annual diabetes costs in Kentucky are $5.2 billion. The Kentucky Public Health organization reported in 2020 that the Big Sandy Region in Kentucky has a prevalence of diabetes of 18.5%. This is the second highest area in the state.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

In efforts to educate those already diagnosed with diabetes and assist in food insecurities, Appalachian Regional Healthcare reached out to the Floyd County Family & Consumer Sciences Program in Spring 2022. The Director of Community Development knew of the Family and Consumer Sciences’ program, “Dinner for Two” success and wanted to partner with Floyd Family & Consumer Sciences to mimic the program but relate it more to those with diabetes.

Floyd County Family & Consumer Sciences work with Appalachian Regional Medical Center’s Community Development department and Diabetes Education to create a program that introduced new fruits and vegetables to their diets as well as overall health education. 

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

The Diabetes Support Group officially began in August 2022 and has continued as a monthly program into 2025. When participants arrive, they are given the opportunity to check their A1C’s provided by Big Sandy Healthcare. When the program begins, the Diabetes Education Program does a brief Question and Answer session. Then there will be a special guest speaker. Speakers have ranged from cardiologists, hearing aid companies, EMT Services and more. Once the speaker is finished, Floyd County Family and Consumer Sciences demonstrates the diabetes friendly recipe of the month to the participants. Recipes are carefully selected from the Family and Consumer Sciences and Nutrition Education program resources. The Floyd County Family & Consumer Science Agent and Diabetes Coordinator work closely together to select the most diabetic friendly and appealing recipe for the audience. Participants receive a $25 gift card to a local grocery store provided by Appalachian Regional Healthcare and are provided the monthly recipe along with SNAP incentives.

This program has reached a total 2,147 individuals. Individuals are from the Big Sandy Regional Area, All ARH locations, and counties in West Virginia. 

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

The Diabetes Support Group originally started in Floyd and Johnson County but is now featured and virtually broadcasted at all ARH locations and now in West Virginia. Over 2,000 individuals have participated in this program. During 2024, A1C screenings were offered eight times between the meetings in Johnson and Floyd Counties (locations alternate monthly). Those that had their A1C repeated, 74% decreased their A1C result at least one time throughout the year.