What we do:

Pitt County Health Department's Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Program aims to address burdens associated with diabetes.  

1. Diabetes Self-Management Education - Educational sessions are led by Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Nurses based on an evidence-based curriculum. Educators work with patients to support informed decision-making, self-care behaviors, and active collaboration with the health care team.

2. Diabetes Support Group - A monthly support group is offered free of charge to assist persons with diabetes and those at risk. The goal is to implement and sustain behaviors needed to manage diabetes. Sessions include cooking demonstrations and interactive learning.

3. Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) - Nutritional counseling provided by a Registered Dietitian involves individualized food and physical activity plans which can aid in glucose, lipid and blood pressure control, weight goals and management of comorbidities. 

4. Community Outreach - Interactive presentations are offered to community members regarding diabetes risk, prevention and management.

5. Collaboration with Medical Providers and Community - Ensures continuity of care between our program and others working with these clients.

6. Minority Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) - An evidence-based curriculum which teaches participants the behaviors necessary to treat pre-diabetes and help prevent development of type 2 diabetes. 

Who we serve:

The Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Program targets people with diabetes in Pitt County (as well as some other eastern NC counties).  The current program serves primarily underserved and uninsured / underinsured populations.

How we impact:

Improve hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and lipids, enhance role of medications, reduce complications, and increase healthier lifestyle behaviors.

In 2023, our DSMES program faced significant challenges due to the departure of our CDCES in August. The program was maintained by a temporary, trained staff member and two employees from another department. Despite these staffing limitations, we successfully secured program recognition and remained operational following a review in early 2024. This period of transition and understaffing, during which classes were temporarily paused in the fall, contributed to lower performance metrics.

We have since restructured the program leadership, with a Registered Dietitian and a nurse from another program assuming key roles, supported by an additional educator. This new team is dedicated to rebuilding and strengthening the DSMES program. While formal class numbers were impacted, we continued to engage the community through successful events like the Diabetes Support Group's Diabetes Awareness event, the metrics for which are not included in this report. We are confident that with our new, stable leadership, we will see improved outcomes in future reports.