The Mission
The mission of the program is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of diabetes and the disabling conditions associated with diabetes such as: blindness, amputations, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, as well as the personal, social and economic consequences of diabetes, ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals and families living with diabetes in Arizona.

We will accomplish our mission by focusing on three primary areas: Health Systems, Community Interventions and Health Communications.

• Health Systems include using a broader, more inclusive definition of systems. Interventions in this area successfully interface with and have an influence upon existing and evolving traditional and “non-traditional” health care systems with the commonly shared goal of improving access to and quality of diabetes services and care.

• Community Interventions uses principles of community health education theory and practice, community public health models, intervention research, program planning, implementation, and evaluation for community-based prevention and control.

• Health Communications is the crafting and delivery of messages and strategies, based on consumer research, to promote the health of individuals and communities. The messages are grounded in social marketing framework that places the consumer at the center.

Volunteers Make the Difference
The Program also provides opportunities for those interested in assisting us to meet our goal. The Arizona Diabetes Coalition is a core of dedicated volunteers who share their expertise and skills with the Program. They assist us in ultimately improving the quality of life for persons with diabetes.

Volunteers have the opportunity to serve on three committees:

• Advocacy
• Education
  - Professional
  - Public
• Surveillance

"Most people have not been given enough education about the disease so the symptoms are often overlooked or attributed to something else. There is no cure, but people with diabetes can lead a healthy and active life by taking charge of the disease. Proper education, treatment and guidance from their health care providers are key."

"Just because you have diabetes it is not the end of the world. . . it just means that you have to play an active role in taking care of yourself so that you can live a full and productive life."

  - National Diabetes Education Program/Centers for Disease Control

For more information call (888) 542-1886.