Bayhealth earns program recognition from American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association, the nation’s leading organization committed to fighting diabetes, recently announced Bayhealth’s certification through its Education Recognition Program.

The ADA’s ERP certificate ensures educational services meet national standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. The corresponding intervention provided is evidence-based and outcome-driven, empowering patients to manage their health and live well with diabetes. Bayhealth applied for recognition voluntarily, and this recognition lasts for four years.

“DSMES is an essential part of managing diabetes and is as effective as diabetes medication. Therefore, all people with diabetes benefit from it,” said Barbara Eichorst, MS, RD, CDCES, the ADA vice president of health programs. “We applaud Bayhealth for its commitment to providing value-based interventions such as DSMES, maximizing corresponding outcomes and patient experience.” 

Each day, nearly 3,300 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications — heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease or amputation.

“More than 1 in 10 Delawareans have type 1 or type 2 diabetes,” said Diane McArtor, Bayhealth’s certified diabetes care and education specialist. “We are proud to have earned this recognition. It reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based diabetes education and support. Bayhealth is committed to expanding access to quality care that helps our community live better with this disease.” 

According to the Centers for Disease Control’s National Diabetes Fact Sheet, there are more than 38 million people, or 11.6% of the U.S. population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 29.7 million have been diagnosed, it’s believed that 8.7 million people are not aware they have this disease.

Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. The ADA’s Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2022 report confirms diabetes continues to be one of the nation’s most expensive chronic health conditions, with an estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes of $412.9 billion.