Education
Employers have a great opportunity to provide education in the workplace. Because many employees spend a majority of their time at work, the workplace is the ideal location to educate employees about the risks of diabetes and the importance of healthy habits. Although education may seem like something that should be the employee's responsibility, as an employer you should take a vested interest. Unmanaged illness can lead to absenteeism and reduced productivity and ultimately affect your bottom line. In this section, you will find resources that will help you meet the educational needs of your organization.
Focus Areas
- Prevention: Diabetes prevention is proven, possible, and powerful. Studies show that people at high risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by losing just 5 to 7 percent of their body weight through a moderate diet and exercise. The best approach for avoiding serious complications is to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes in the first place.
- Self-Management: Employers can maintain a healthy workforce and assist employees with diabetes by providing access to educational tools that promote healthy lifestyles. The "Self-Management" section provides information on evidence-based treatments and lifestyle modifications that can lessen the burden of diabetes and help individuals work effectively with their health care team and take responsibility for their day-to-day care.
- Treatment Options: There are various and distinct treatment options for individuals with diabetes; however, the fundamental goal is blood glucose control. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type of diabetes being treated, and can include exercise and meal planning for blood sugar control, weight loss, oral medication, and/or insulin therapy.
- Supporting Individuals with Diabetes: Employers can help people with diabetes reduce their health risks and avoid serious complications (blindness, heart and kidney disease, and amputation) by encouraging good habits to maintain blood sugar levels. Employees also feel better, remain productive and need less medical intervention, which brings down the cost of treating diabetes and can help control overall medical costs.