The incidence of diabetes is escalating in our community at dramatic rates! In the United States today, more than 20 million people have diabetes, with 6.2 million undiagnosed. Ninety-five percent (95 %) of those afflicted have type 2 (T2DM). Only 24% of Americans afflicted with type 2 diabetes know their A1c blood glucose level, a key factor in managing this very complex chronic disease.   Health literacy is another critical factor hampering the patient/provider experience in successfully managing this disease.  Less than 12% adhere to disease treatment management guidelines as specified by the American Diabetes Association.  Over a 100 million Americans are affected by some form of chronic disease, with diabetes being the 5th leading cause of death in this country. 

Diabetes has been characterized as one of the most psychologically and behaviorally challenging chronic medical illnesses, with people of color among the hardest hit by this disease.  Many of us know family, friends, and/or co-workers who are coping with the management challenges associated with monitoring this very serious chronic illness. 

In 2004, the Diabetes Information Access System Project (DIAS) conducted a patient centered feasibility study that examined the technical merit of integrating smartcard technology into a community health center's patient electronic care registry system.

We, at Mélange Information Services, Inc., are committed to supporting efforts and research activities that will enhance patient access to health literacy strategies and options needed for managing this disease effectively.  We provide health literacy workshops for both patients, caretakers, and healthcare providers.  We actively engage in collaborative health literacy and self care management research activities whenever the opportunity presents itself.

The Diabetes Information Access System Project (DIAS) not only documented the technical feasibility of the intervention, but provider/patient receptivity to the concept as well. Our research activities also documented the unintended consequences and impact of underutilized diabetes self management education programs within community health centers having limited resources.

Underserved and unserved populations are in severe need of diverse options and strategies capable of addressing their unique needs in the commitment to and maintenance of their diabetes self-care management regimens.

We need more community based participatory research on how diabetes self care management practices impacts the well-being and lifestyles of diverse populations.  Actively changing the adverse tide of diabetes within our community requires the Power of One! 

We need your opinion, your experience; we need to hear your voice!  Please complete our short, DIAS Survey!

Join Us!!    We need to know your opinions and experiences about diabetes self care management practices.