Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes is characterized by blood sugar (glucose) levels that are higher than normal. There are three main
types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, where a person’s body does not make insulin; type 2 diabetes, where a
person’s body does not make or use insulin well; and gestational diabetes, which may occur during
pregnancy. Diabetes can lead to problems such as heart disease, stroke, vision loss, kidney disease, and nerve
damage. Nearly 29.1 million Americans have diabetes, and 1 of 4 do not know that they have it.
What You Can Do:
 Use the Understanding Diabetes presentation and the supporting materials to help your employees learn
how to best manage their diabetes. This is the first of an eight-lesson series that provides up-to-date
diabetes information and tools for your employees. Offer Understanding Diabetes first; the remaining
seven presentations can be offered in any order. All eight diabetes management lesson plans and
supporting PowerPoint slides can be found on Diabetes at Work under Quick Links/Lesson Plans.
 Three lesson plans about diabetes prevention can also be found under Quick Links/Lesson Plans. Plan
now to offer all eight management and three diabetes prevention lessons to your employees.
 Review this presentation guide and the associated PowerPoint presentation, and gather the handouts a
few days before the session. If desired, print out slides with notes in the outline format.
 Review the diabetes management and diabetes self-management education benefits offered by your
health plan; be prepared to share this information with participants.
 Gather information about local diabetes self-management education programs; be prepared to share this
information with participants.
 Encourage your employees with diabetes to ask their health care provider for a referral to a diabetes selfmanagement education program, preferably an American Diabetes Association Recognized Education
Program or a program accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.
 Share additional Diabetes at Work resources with your employees.
PRESENTATION
OBJECTIVES:
Employees will
PRESENTATION
OUTLINE:
I.
The PowerPoint slides
follow this outline.
 Understand why diabetes is serious.
 Know the diabetes ABCs (A – A1C, B – blood pressure, C – cholesterol, and s
– stopping smoking).
 Know how to find a diabetes self-management education program.
Discussion Topics
A. What is diabetes?
B. Knowing your diabetes ABCs
C. Living well with diabetes
D. Routine care
II. Learning About Diabetes
A. What is diabetes?
B. Signs and symptoms of diabetes
C. Type 1 diabetes
D. Type 2 diabetes
E. Gestational diabetes
F. Take diabetes seriously
G. Why take care of your diabetes?
III. Knowing Your Diabetes ABCs
A. A1C
B. Blood pressure
C. Cholesterol
D. Smoking
IV. Living Well With Diabetes
A. Cope with emotional aspects
B. Eat well
C. Be active
D. Know what to do every day
E. Learn all you can
F. Talk to your health care team
TIME REQUIRED:
30 minutes
AUDIO VISUAL:
PowerPoint presentation, laptop/projector
HANDOUTS:
 Tips to Help You Stay Healthy With Diabetes. This handout provides four key
steps to help manage diabetes and live a long and active life.
 I Can Control My Diabetes By Working with My Health Care Team! This
handout includes a checklist for people living with diabetes to track their
diabetes team care. Also available in Spanish.
ACTIVITY:
 Participants complete the “three reasons and three things” table on the My
Diabetes Care Record and Action Plan and begin to record their test and
checkup results. The My Diabetes Care Record and Action Plan is found in
the Tips to Help You Stay Healthy with Diabetes handout.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION:
4 Steps to Manage Your Diabetes for Life. This booklet outlines four key steps to
help manage diabetes and live a long and active life.
Find additional information and resources at
 National Diabetes Education Program
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)