Health Literacy and Self-Care Needs of Diabetics in a Free Community Health Clinic

Diabetes affects more than 350 million people worldwide. In the United States, 29.1 million people have diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes damages blood vessels and can lead to cardiac, vascular, renal, and other compromised disease states. Individuals with diabetes need to be taught self-care activities to manage their disease and prevent complications. Diet, exercise, blood glucose testing, foot care, and smoking cessation are essential educational components. Health care information is often not provided at the appropriate level to insure comprehension.
Source: Journal of Vascular Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Source Type: research