Diabetes control programs: new directions

The diabetes control programs (DCPs), which involve state and territorial health agencies working cooperatively with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, offer new opportunities for diabetes educators to expand their scope of practice into public health. The intervention activities of the 40 core-capacity DCPs that are proposed for the next fiscal year are summarized in this paper to provide insight into the new directions of the DCPs. These activities span a range of health-system and community-based approaches and are described by their potential impact on the audience. The interventions are aimed at a variety of intended audiences and partners, including minorities, individuals with diabetes, healthcare providers, and policymakers. As diabetes educators continue to expand their scope of practice, the DCPs offer opportunities to go beyond individual practice behaviors by participating in community development activities, disseminating practice guidelines, changing organizational practices, and advocating for health-related public policy and legislation.