A bout 25.8 million adults in the United States have diabetes. It is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, and the leading cause of kidney failure, non traumatic lower limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among adults (CDC, 2011).
African Americans have higher rates of diabetes than the general population and are more likely to suffer from diabetes complications. People with diabetes can reduce their risk for these complications by managing their blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids, and by receiving preventive care for their eyes, feet, and kidneys.
Diabetes self-management education is an important part of helping people with diabetes reduce their risk for these complications and improve their quality of life. In addition to teaching self-care behaviors such as healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose monitoring, diabetes self-management education should include goal setting, problem solving, and developing strategies to support emotional well-being, and health and behavior change (Funnell, et. al., 2007).
Social support is also important for people trying to manage a chronic disease like diabetes. Family and friends can provide emotional, practical, and informational support to a person who is trying to manage the disease.
African Americans may rely on family and friends for support more often than the general population (Ford, Tiley, & McDonald, 1998). These relationships can have a positive or negative effect on their mental and physical health. Families can learn skills to provide the support that people with diabetes need to manage the disease.