Diabetes Self Management Emphasized
During Health Center Week

August 6, 2004

La Marque – The Galveston County Health District’s 4C’s clinics will observe National Health Center Week with special community activities on Wednesday, August 11, 2004. This year’s event focus will be on diabetes and healthy lifestyles.

“We are celebrating the 4C’s clinics success story of keeping our community well and disease-free” says Dr. Abdul-Aziz Alhassan, Medical Director of the 4C’s Clinics. “The facts speak for themselves. There are healthier newborns, and people living longer in communities lucky enough to have a community health center. Through preventive health care we are keeping people out of costly hospital emergency rooms in Galveston County.”

On August 11th, from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. there will be activities geared towards people living with Diabetes. Those attending will be able to receive some valuable health screenings for anyone managing their daily lives while dealing with this condition. Screenings that will be available include hemoglobin A1c, microalbumin, vision, foot, and dental screenings. In addition there will also be health educators present that will provide information on successful ways to manage diabetes. These programs will take place at the Galveston 4C’s clinic at 4700 Broadway and the Texas City 4C’s clinic located in the Texas City Community Family Center at 2000 Texas Avenue.

That same afternoon from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. there will be community gatherings where the public can receive information on making healthy lifestyle choices. These will take place at the Island Community Center in Galveston at 4700 Broadway and at the Mainland Medical Center in Texas City at 6801 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway.

In Galveston information will be provided on the importance of physical activity in our daily lives along with chair Tai Chi demonstrations. At the Mainland Medical Center nutrition education will be provided with an interactive game of nutrition bingo. There will also be demonstrations of healthy eating habits and a mock buffet to assist people in recognizing healthy food choices.

Susan Studebaker, Director of Community Health Programs for the Galveston County Health District says, “These activities are part of the Health District’s, Community Support for Diabetes Self Management Program. The program includes classes and support groups in the 4C’s clinics. The first graduates of the program recently graduated at the Bacliff Community Center on August 2nd. Support for this program is provided in part by a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Princeton, New Jersey.”

Rosie Morales, a member of the Galveston County Health District’s 4C’s Governing Board will be speaking to diabetics about the importance of good self management. Ms. Morales has been diagnosed diabetic for six years and says, “Walking and following a proper diet has been extremely helpful in managing my diabetes. I used to have very elevated blood sugar levels but following a good management plan I now regularly have normal blood sugar readings.”

Over 1200 letters have been mailed to registered patients in the 4C’s clinics that live with diabetes. Letters were also sent to all members of the Galveston County Health District’s Senior Health Corps. County officials stress that even if one did not receive a letter the public is more than welcome to attend any or all of the events.

“During National Health Center Week, we want to emphasize the importance of self management and community health education particularly in regards to diabetics,” states Dr. Mark Guidry, Galveston County Health Authority. “Knowing how to manage your diabetes and prevent some of its consequences is one of the most effective ways for diabetics to maintain and improve their health.”

Teaching citizens how to effectively self manage diabetes is part of a larger Strategic Health Plan implemented at the Health District during the past year. A priority to improve the identification and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes was established with corresponding goals and activities. The entire plan can be found on the Health District’s web site at: www.gchd.org.

Health District partners in this year’s observation of National Health Center week include: UTMB, Mainland Medical Center, The Jesse Tree, Coastal Area Health Education Center (AHEC), the Galveston County Extension Service, and the Housing Authority of Galveston.

For more information on activities interested persons can call (409) 938-2291.