Diabetes is a chronic illness affecting more than 400,000
Kentuckians. Continuous medical care and patient self-management
education are keys to preventing acute complications and
reducing the risk of long-term complications. Poorly controlled
diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood
pressure, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system disorders,
dental disease, amputations and other problems. In Family and
Consumer Sciences Extension, work is underway to provide
education and support to those affected by diabetes. Much of
this work centers on implementation of the “Taking Ownership of
Your Diabetes” curriculum developed by Ingrid Adams, Assistant
Extension Professor, Department of Dietetics and Human
Nutrition. The curriculum is based on the National Diabetes
Education Publication “4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For
Life.” It uses the stages of change model to bring behavior
change. Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agents and
individuals with type-2 diabetes provided input int