KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Managing diabetes can be hard, particularly for those who do not have access to information and support in their own language and from trusted members of their community. Thanks to the REACH 2010 Coalition and its educators, especially six who are being honored as “Outstanding Educators,” those most impacted by diabetes are now able to receive the support they need for better living.
“Through personal experience with my family, I know how important it is to have access to culturally-sensitive education and services that support proper care and healthy living,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “We are honoring six educators who epitomize a spirit of service and a commitment to healthy communities.”
REACH Diabetes Educators organize and facilitate culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate community education presentations, support groups, diabetes education classes and self-management classes in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Khmer, and Samoan. Groups and classes are free and open to the public.
“These REACH educators are key in supporting people to make small yet incremental changes towards healthier lifestyles, while building a coalition to support those most impacted by diabetes,” said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director and Health Officer of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
Diabetes educators receiving the “Outstanding Educator Award” include:
- Dr. Juana Royster and peer educator Devon Love, Center for MultiCultural Health
- May Lo, Peter Quenguyen, and Nicole Lee, International Community Health Services
- Jackie Vasquez, Sea Mar Community Health Centers
“I applaud these health educators for their hard work day in and day out and for their contribution to improving our county’s health,” said King County Councilmember and Board of Health Chair Carolyn Edmonds.
Clients who have participated in REACH have said:
- “I appreciate the help that I have received in this country and feel comfortable about coming to the classes and talking about diabetes in my own language.”
- “After taking some classes, I look at and deal with diabetes differently.”
- “I’m glad we have the class because I get to talk in my own language, and we can be together and learn.”
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in King County, and diabetes rates have been increasing locally and nationally. In King County, diabetes rates rose from 3% in 1995 -1997 to 5% during 2000-2002. The rise in the diabetes rates is linked to increasing prevalence of obesity, unhealthy eating and physical inactivity.
When compared to whites, African Americans have a diabetes rate that is 1.8 times higher and a diabetes death rate that is 3.5 times higher. American Indians, Asians, and Latinos also have higher diabetes death rates.
For more information on REACH, visit: www.metrokc.gov/health/reach
For more information on King County STEPS to Health, which supports REACH and is a program focusing on asthma, diabetes, obesity, nutrition, physical activity and tobacco, visit: www.metrokc.gov/health/steps
