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News Release

Media Contacts:
Christina Chavira
Communications Specialist
530.332.5589 - office
christina.chavira@enloe.org              

Enloe Diabetes Education receives national accreditation

CHICO, Calif., Feb. 8, 2010 – Enloe Medical Center’s Diabetes Education program was recently named an accredited diabetes education program by the American Association of Diabetes Educators. The accreditation recognizes the program’s positive outcomes, which are even more essential in our area because of a higher incidence of diabetes. Enloe’s Community Health Needs Assessment Survey in 2007 revealed a higher prevalence of diabetes locally (10.6 percent) compared with the state (7.1 percent) and national rate (8 percent).

Diabetes education is a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions. It is provided by diabetes educators, who aim to help patients achieve optimal health status and better quality of life. A new study, released in September 2009, found that patients using diabetes education have lower average health care costs than patients who do not use diabetes education.

“Our community is fortunate to have the services provided by a knowledgeable and skilled group of Registered Nurses and Registered Dietitians who are all Certified Diabetes Educators,” said Cathy Nagy, Nurse Manager, Enloe Diabetes Education.

About Enloe’s Diabetes Education: This program offers individual education and group classes for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as well as education for women with gestational diabetes. Education includes understanding the disease, meal planning and blood-sugar goal ranges, diabetes care during illness, and goal setting and support. The program is located at the Enloe Outpatient Center, 888 Lakeside Village Commons, Building C, in Chico. Physician referral is required for participation. Diabetes education has been provided at Enloe since 1986. This is Enloe’s first accreditation through the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Enloe’s Diabetes Education program has been accredited since 2001 through the American Diabetes Association. To learn more about Enloe Diabetes Education, visit www.enloe.org/diabetes.

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Enloe Medical Center is a local, nonprofit health care organization. For more information, please call 530/332-7300 or visit us online at http://www.enloe.org.   Enloe Medical Center is located at 1531 Esplanade Chico, Calif.  95926.