2019 Health Care & Education Presidential Address: It's All About Access!

Area of Science:

• Diabetes care and prevention research.
• Health services research.
• Health education and literacy.

Background:

• Diabetes care management and prevention are significant national priorities with broad health and economic impacts.
• Gretchen Youssef, a registered dietitian and diabetes care and education specialist, has extensive experience in diabetes clinical initiatives, education, and research.
• Her work includes research on diabetes prevention, self-care management, community-based education, and the "KNOW Diabetes" Survival Skills Knowledge test.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of diabetes care management and prevention.
• To discuss the role of diabetes care and education specialists in addressing real-world challenges.
• To emphasize the need to overcome barriers like low health literacy and socioeconomic factors for optimal diabetes care.

Main Methods:

• The article is adapted from a speech, reflecting on the author's career and research interests.
• Focus on health services research examining evidence-based type 2 diabetes care management delivery.
• Development and validation of the "KNOW Diabetes" Survival Skills Knowledge test to identify self-care knowledge deficits.

Main Results:

• Diabetes care management and prevention have substantial health and economic consequences.
• There is a need to address barriers such as low health literacy, socioeconomic status, and mental health.
• The changing role of diabetes care and education specialists is critical in improving patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Improving the lives of people with diabetes, particularly those facing access barriers, is a primary commitment.
• Effective diabetes care requires addressing multifaceted challenges beyond clinical management.
• Continued focus on research and education is essential for advancing diabetes care.