Disability in Focus: June 2019
People with IDD Need Accessible Diabetes Education and Care
“The doctor said I don’t have to check my blood sugar
every day; now I watch what I eat and that helps a lot
with my diabetes.”
In New Hampshire, adults with diabetes who have an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) are less likely than adults without IDD to receive Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME). Many adults with IDD also do not get needed health care for their diabetes.
Diabetes self-management education (DSME) improves the quality of life of people with diabetes and helps prevent diabetes-related complications.
Only 1 in 5 adults with IDD and diabetes gets DSME
Recommended diabetes care means seeing a health care provider regularly to check on blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney function, and for retinal eye exams.
Only 1 in 5 adults with IDD and diabetes gets all recommended diabetes care
Strategies to Improve the Health of People with IDD and Diabetes
- Offer accessible diabetes self-management education (DSME) and recruit adults with IDD to attend.
- Provide educational materials in plain language, and use multiple formats for user-friendliness.
- Educate health care providers about the need for better diabetes-related health care for adults with IDD.
- Create partnerships between people with diabetes, caregivers, health care professionals, and other support staff to develop person-centered plans to stay healthy.
Download the data brief here.
We want to hear from you! As always, we will use your comments to improve our work.
Sources: 2010-2014 NH All-Payer Claims Data; American Diabetes Association; National Committee for Quality Assurance.
This content is solely the responsibility of the NH Disability & Public Health Project and does not necessarily represent the view of the CDC or US DHHS.