Well-being is a complex, multifaceted, and multilayered concept. There are many different approaches to defining and measuring well-being, and the focus and terminology used to describe these measures vary. Concepts that fall within the category of well-being include psychological wellbeing, emotional well-being, quality of life, health-related quality of life, psychosocial functioning, thriving, flourishing, happiness, satisfaction, and others.1 Life expectancy is one of those measures. It is also a proxy measure for the total health of a population. Disparities in life expectancy between populations point to where issues of health equity must be addressed.

Exercise is linked to positive physical, psychological, and social outcomes.  Communities that create spaces for physical activity have healthier people with decreased risks of obesity, heart disease, and other chronic conditions that increase morbidity and mortality. 

The prevalence of diabetes among US adults is 13.0%, affecting approximately 1 in 7 people (National Diabetes Statistics Report 2020). However, of those 13.0% only 10.2% are diagnosed.  In Pitt County, diabetes increased from the 7th (seventh) leading cause of death to the 5^th (fifth) among all races, and the 4th leading cause of death among African Americans (NCSCHS 2018).  Continued efforts are needed to further decrease the impact of diabetes morbidity and mortality.  Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support are key in moving this needle.  Complications from poorly managed diabetes can be debilitating and deadly, but can be prevented or delayed through early detection and proper self-management.  DSME programs have been shown to lower A1C, improve quality of life and reduce health care costs compared with usual care alone (ADA Standards of Medical Care 2017).  In fact the 2021 ADA Standards of Medical Care indicates “…all people with diabetes should participate in diabetes self-management education (DSME) and receive the support needed to facilitate the knowledge, decision-making, and skills mastery necessary for diabetes self-care.”