Taking Diabetes Management on the Road

As healthcare centers and hospitals continue to reduce or cut funding for diabetes management programs, North Carolinians suffering from diabetes can still receive the education and support they need thanks to Diabetes Management Solutions (DMS) and the Diabetes Bus.

DMS is a nonprofit that believes “where you live shouldn’t affect how you live with diabetes”. Led by executive director Kim Hanchette, DMS began by literally taking the education to the patients by driving the Diabetes Bus to doctors’ offices and clinics to provide much needed free education and support for diabetes patients. Eight years and hundreds of success stories later, DMS still spreads its message and education efforts through the bus but provides most services in permanent clinics or doctor’s offices.

In 2007 alone, DMS programs received 889 referrals from 99 medical providers, effectively doubling their reach from the previous year. Through classes, support groups, and community events in 2007, DMS served approximately 1,048 people suffering from diabetes.

On average, program participants’ Hemoglobin A1C results dropped 1.6 points which translates into a 25-40% reduction of diabetes-related health complications and a savings of about $1,000 to the patients.

One class participant commented on the first day of class “I feel like a failure with my diabetes- no matter what I do, it stays high and I feel so tired and my eyes are so bad, I can hardly work". After attending classes and learning more about new management techniques he was able to resume his normal routine, working full time and enjoying his garden again.

Hanchette and DMS plan to continue expanding their effective program to reach more communities and help more North Carolinians manage their diabetes and lead healthier lives.

Diabetes Management Solutions has most recently been supported through a 5-year, $660,000 Health of Vulnerable Populations grant.