Online Physician Referral or call 1-800-522-5292.

Could you have diabetes and not know? Take a diabetes risk test. English   Español

The Diabetes Education Center is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for meeting National Standards for Excellence in Diabetes Eduction.

Palmetto's Diabetes Education Center is designed to help persons with diabetes learn about their condition, live as healthfully as possible and prevent complications. 

Our bilingual staff members provide individual or group classes covering all aspects of diabetes self management, educational materials in English or Spanish and personalized diet plans that meet patients’ cultural and meal preferences. 

The center is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. We offer Saturday classes as needed. To enter the program you must be referred by a physician and make an appointment. Advance registration is required. 

Topics

We cover these in simple terms, by illustration, books, handouts, DVDs and discussions.

• Types and causes of diabetes
• Acceptance of diabetes
• Overview of available medication--action, indications and side effects
• Goals of monitoring blood sugar at home and A1C
• Nutrition and diabetes
• The role of food
• Definition of carbohydrates
• Planning your meals, use of exchange diet system
• Reading labels
• Acute and long-term complications
• Prevention and treatment of complications
• Exercise instructions
• Definition of stress and how it affects health and diabetes
• Stress-reduction techniques
• Diabetes in pregnancy (when appropriate to age group)

Individual Sessions                                                                                                                           One-on-one counseling by appointment until all topics are covered (or as per insurance coverage) 

Group Classes

Group classes consist of an initial educational session along with subsequent follow-up classes as needed. For more information, please call 1-800-522-5292.

Diabetes Management Resources >

FEATURED ARTICLE:
Ways Hispanics Can Prevent Diabetes and Heart Disease

Hispanic Americans represent 16.3 percent of the present U.S. population, or about 50.3 million people. According to the Census Bureau, people of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central-American or other Spanish culture or origin are projected to comprise 29 percent of the U.S. population by the year 2050, or about 127 million individuals. This growing group of Hispanic Americans faces significant health concerns that put them at high risk for both heart disease and diabetes.

Heart disease and stroke rank as the number one killer of Hispanic Americans each year, accounting for nearly 30 percent of deaths. Approximately 20 percent of Hispanic Americans are affected by high blood pressure. The risk of diabetes for Hispanic men and women is almost twice that for non-Hispanic whites. More than 10 percent of Hispanic Americans age 20 or older have been diagnosed with the disease while about one-third of Hispanic Americans with diabetes remain undiagnosed.

Hispanic Americans at risk for developing heart disease or diabetes can take steps to protect their health and reduce their chances of developing serious complications.

• Find a doctor who understands your culture and even speaks Spanish if that makes you more comfortable. See your doctor for regular check-ups and establish a good working relationship.
• Keep your blood pressure at or below 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). High blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg or higher) can start at any age and is often hereditary.
• Check your cholesterol to make sure it stays below 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood). A cholesterol reading 240 mg/dL or higher more than doubles the risk of coronary heart disease compared to a lower level.
• Check for early signs of kidney disease. Ask your doctor about a urine test to detect protein and/or a blood test to measure kidney function.
• Control your weight and lose weight if you are obese or overweight. Ask your doctor to calculate your Body Mass Index, which should be between 19 and 24. A man’s waist should be less than 40 inches and a woman’s waist should be less than 35 inches.
• Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Bake, broil, grill, steam, boil or poach food instead of frying. Flavor foods with salsa, picante sauce, cilantro, cumin or pepper, and limit the use of salt, cheese, sausage (chorizo or salchicha), high-fat meats (chicharrón or cuerito), and whole milk.
• Be physically active and add at least 30 minutes of exercise to your daily routine. Pick an activity you enjoy or find a sport you can do with your family.
• Stop smoking. Smokers run higher risks of developing heart and lung diseases, as well as stroke and cancer. Breathing second-hand smoke increases the risk of health problems for nonsmokers. Smoking can make asthma worse and cause coughing, wheezing and ear infections in children.

For more information about Hispanics and kidney disease, visit the National Kidney Foundation website at www.kidney.org, and the American Heart Association website at www.americanheart.org for information about Hispanics and heart disease.