Big Sandy Health Care shines spotlight on community health workers during Diabetes Awareness Month

PRESTONSBURG — As November marks Diabetes Awareness Month, Big Sandy Health Care is celebrating the vital role that Community Health Workers (CHWs) play in helping patients manage diabetes. Through tailored support, ongoing education and compassionate care, CHWs empower patients to take charge of their health and improve their quality of life.

Community Health Workers are often the missing link in the healthcare model, especially for managing chronic conditions like diabetes. As Stephanie Clark, Chronic Disease Program Director at Big Sandy Health Care, explained, “A Community Health Worker is the missing piece in the healthcare model. CHWs help manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and COPD by providing additional education and resources for patients to better understand their conditions.”

Clark also highlights the importance of pairing CHWs with patients from communities they are familiar with, helping to build trust and comfort. “We want patients to feel comfortable knowing their CHW understands their struggles and the barriers they face.”

For diabetic patients, CHWs provide critical hands-on support by helping them navigate their daily health needs. This includes teaching proper use of diabetic medications like insulin pens, reviewing blood sugar logs, and helping patients manage their A1C levels. They often go beyond what healthcare providers can address during office visits, offering insights through home visits where they witness the challenges patients face, such as dietary habits and food insecurity.

“When we visit a patient’s home, we can see firsthand what their daily life looks like, from the foods they eat to the challenges they face in maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” said Clark. “This allows us to provide real-time, practical advice and help them make changes that can lead to better diabetes management. These are insights that may not come up in a typical clinic visit.”

One of the most impactful programs offered by Big Sandy Health Care is the Healthy Food Voucher Program. Patients with high A1C levels can receive monthly vouchers to purchase diabetic-friendly foods, a crucial step in improving nutrition for households facing financial hardship. For those struggling with transportation, CHWs even deliver medications to ensure that no patient goes without necessary care.

Education is another cornerstone of the CHW program. Big Sandy Health Care partners with Marshall University to equip CHWs with the latest educational materials, which they then share with their patients. CHWs also work in tandem with the patient’s provider to help provide customized education based on their medical conditions.

Effective diabetes management involves more than just medication; it is about understanding the whole person including their environment, values and beliefs,” explained Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lesley Dotson. “Community Health Workers play a crucial role on the health care team by helping physicians and other providers see the whole picture, in addition to providing education and support between clinic visits.”

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are nonmedical conditions in the places where we live, work, play, and learn that affect our health risks and outcomes. Because they understand the challenges of eating healthy, being active, coping with stress, and accessing care for people with diabetes, CHWs can address equity and access issues in diabetes care. In fact, researchers at the University of Texas found that CHWs were able to help 32% of their clients with diabetes achieve reduced A1C, resulting in fewer hospital visits, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The impact of these efforts reaches far beyond medical care.

“CHWs become like family to their patients,” said Clark. “We’ve had many patients pass away, and their CHWs often attend the funerals, staying in contact with the family and offering support during difficult times. The relationships they build are incredibly meaningful.”

Since May 2016, the Big Sandy Diabetes Coalition has screened over 4,000 patients throughout the region. Of those, 1,074 were found to be in the pre-diabetic range, and 930 had an A1C of 6.5 or above. These screenings have been instrumental in identifying at-risk individuals early.

In one case, a CHW encouraged a festival attendee to seek medical attention after discovering they were in the diabetic range. The attendee followed through, started treatment, and returned the next day to thank the CHW for their intervention.

In 2024, Big Sandy Health Care has enrolled 157 patients in diabetes management programs. The organization collaborates with local health departments, dietitians, and other specialists to provide patients with comprehensive care. CHWs also participate in community outreach, offering free A1C screenings at health fairs and diabetes awareness events.

During Diabetes Awareness Month, Big Sandy Health Care encourages community members to be proactive and take advantage of diabetes resources. For more information or to schedule a diabetes screening, contact a provider at the clinic closest to you or visit http://www.bshc.org.

– Big Sandy Community Health Center: (606) 478-2200

– Eula Hall Health Center: (606) 587-2200

– Freeburn Community Health Center: (606) 984-5484

– Hope Family Medical Center: (606) 349-5126

– Johnson County Community Health Center: (606) 887-6145

– Martin County Community Health Center: (606) 298-3412

– Physicians for Women and Families: (606) 886-8997

– Pikeville Community Health Center: (606) 637-6377

– Shelby Valley Clinic: (606) 639-3135

For more information about Big Sandy Health Care, please visit www.bshc.org

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