Freedom Diabetes Program
DIABETES HEALTH SNAPSHOT
PREVALENCE
1 in 7 Mississippians lives with diabetes. This is 32% higher than the US average of 12%.
UNDIAGNOSED
75,000 people in Mississippi are estimated to have diabetes and don’t know it.
PREVALENCE
Mississippi ranks 48th out of 50 states, with the second-highest diabetes prevalence rate in the nation at 15%.
MORTALITY
Mississippi has a high diabetes mortality rate, with 35 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022.
PREDIABETES
11% of Mississippians are expected to be pre-diabetic.
Freedom Diabetes Program
The Freedom Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Program empowers those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes to achieve and maintain good health, improve their quality of life, gain the knowledge and skills necessary for successful self-management and prevent complications that may develop from uncontrolled diabetes.
The Freedom DSME program helps you take control of your diabetes by guiding you through the essentials of eating right, exercising and setting goals.
LEARN WITH OTHERS
Freedom workshops are designed to be highly engaging and provide opportunities for Mississippians to learn and share their experiences with others. Participants are encouraged to create their own personal diabetes management programs, where they’ll make weekly action plans, share experiences and work with others to solve the daily problems you all deal with.
You’ll receive consistent follow-up calls and visits to ensure you have the support needed to improve your health. The Freedom team will even work closely with your doctor to discuss self-management strategies and make sure those strategies are effective.
Created for You by Professionals
The program’s classes are taught in group and individual settings by MSDH Registered Nurses, Registered Dieticians, Master’s level social workers and pharmacists. The seven self-care behaviors included in the curriculum are the basis of diabetes education and care:
- Healthy eating: Choosing the right foods for a healthy blood sugar level.
- Being active: Getting enough physical activity to help keep your diabetes under control.
- Monitoring: Check your blood sugar levels to ensure they are on target and adjust your diet and physical activity for the best results.
- Taking medication: Understanding your medications and taking them when you should.
- Problem-solving: Being prepared to adapt your diabetes control plan for unexpected situations.
- Reducing risks: Avoiding health problems that arise with diabetes.
- Healthy coping: Dealing with the emotional impact of diabetes.
Experience the feeling of Freedom today!
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