Compared to the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes. According to diabetes.org website, 13.2 percent of all African Americans aged 20 years or older have diagnosed diabetes and African Americans are 1.7 times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. African-Americans are significantly more likely to suffer from blindness, kidney disease and amputations because of diabetes.
But good diabetes management can help reduce your risk. That’s the why the State developed the Diabetes PATH program. This program is designed specifically to enhance patient confidence in their ability to manage their diabetes.
The PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) six-week program has several components: skills mastery; modeling; action planning with social support.
The Detroit Area Agency on Aging is looking for volunteers to become Diabetes-PATH Lay Leaders. A Diabetes-PATH Lay Leader is someone who is interested in helping others take Personal Action Toward Health by becoming better self-managers of their diabetes. This person does not need to be a health care professional and will be trained to lead Diabetes-PATH classes and teach people skills and methods to manage their chronic condition.
Other Diabete-PATH Lay Leader qualifications include: being comfortable with public speaking to groups of 15-20, be concerned and compassion for people with diabetes; and be available to lead 2.5 hour Diabetes-PATH sessions once a week following the training.
To become a Diabetes-PATH Lay Leader there is a short application and screening along with FREE training classes led by a Master Trainer in February 2015. The trainings will be held at Adult-Well Being Service, 1423 Field Avenue, Detroit, 48214.
For more information please call, Anita Kanakaris 313-446-4444 ext. 5841 or Misha Stallworth at 313-446-4444 ext. 5818 or email StallworthM@daaa1a.org
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