Diabetes Connection finishes year with measurable health improvements

The Diabetes Connection wrapped up its 2025 calendar on December 4 with leaders presenting results they say demonstrate the value of community centered support for managing chronic disease in rural Eastern Kentucky. The program, run by Appalachian Regional Healthcare and the University of Kentucky Extension Office, operates monthly workshops in nine locations across the region and maintains an online option so Perry County residents who cannot travel can still take part.

Over the past year more than 370 participants enrolled in the program's Healthy Habits Challenge. Those participants collectively lost 471 pounds and reported improvements in A1C scores alongside changes in diet and daily routines. Organizers and attendees emphasized that regular meetings, practical demonstrations of healthy recipes with samples, short talks from health professionals, and concrete blood sugar management tools helped turn guidance into action. Many participants said the peer support the group provides kept them accountable and motivated between visits.

Public health experts note that modest weight loss and improved A1C levels reduce the risk of diabetes complications, lower hospitalization rates, and lessen long term health care costs. For Perry County, where transportation and access to specialty care are ongoing challenges, a low barrier community program that meets in person and by Zoom typically on the fourth Thursday of each month offers a practical local response to those systemic gaps.

Program leaders signaled plans to continue and expand the offering in 2026, maintaining both in person and Zoom access to reach more residents across Eastern Kentucky. Expansion could improve equity by connecting those who face work constraints, limited transit options, or mobility issues with consistent preventive care and education.

As health systems and policymakers consider strategies to reduce chronic disease burden in rural communities, the Diabetes Connection provides an example of a community based, partnership driven approach that leverages local networks to support self management. For Perry County residents, the program represents a tangible option to improve health outcomes close to home while addressing broader disparities in care access across the region.