|
Extension
Diabetes Workshop and Portable Cooking School a Huge Success
Auburn, May 10---Just
when one major health system in south central Alabama announced
almost 300 job cuts, many of which include diabetes educators,
another organization has stepped in to help the people of Alabama.
The Alabama Cooperative
Extension System recently sponsored a Diabetes Workshop and Portable
Cooking School in Montgomery, that provided a wealth of information
on diabetes helpful to health care providers, county agents and
others dealing with diabetes' patients.
"It was incredible
how the workshop came together. We had more than 100 people from
throughout the state attend," said Dr. Evelyn Crayton, a
registered dietitian and foods and nutrition specialist with the
Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
"The staff of the
Department of Public Health Diabetes Control Program helped
cosponsor the event. All of the organizations and agencies that were
called upon either helped financially or sponsored speakers. We had
the best speakers, some of whom were diabetics or had loved ones
with the disease. They were knowledgeable and passionate about the
needs of people in the state," Crayton added.
Workshops provided
updates on foot and eye care, drugs for treating diabetes, nutrition
and diet management, food safety, herbs and diabetes, exercise and
physical activity, and long-term complications of the disease.
Important things to ask when you visit your doctor, things to do if
you are sick, and Medicare coverage of diabetes, the future of
implantable glucose sensing, and an update on new technology and
equipment, including insulin pump therapy also were discussed.
"Healthy eating and
proper diet are essential factors in controlling diabetes,"
said Crayton.
"Extension county
agents hope to organize diabetes support groups and coalitions that
will help educate Alabamians about diabetes management. Extension's
main role in the coalitions will be to provide nutritional
information and recipes appropriate for people with diabetes through
cooking school demonstrations."
Health care providers in
the coalition will handle the clinical part of the disease.
The Extension office in
Madison County already has an active group established. The group
meets monthly and provides valuable and timely information about
nutrition and diabetes management to the public. Through the help of
volunteers, the group also produces and distributes a free
"Diabetics Newsletter."
Source: Dr. Evelyn
Crayton, Foods and Nutrition Specialist, Alabama Cooperative
Extension System, (334) 844-2224
Article
in MS Word
Article
in Text Only
|
