Diabetes Management: Interventions Engaging Community Health Workers

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends interventions that engage community health workers — frontline public health workers who connect underserved communities to health care systems — to help people manage their diabetes. These interventions have been shown to improve patients’ blood sugar and lipid control and reduce their health care use. The interventions aim to improve diabetes care and self-management behaviors and can include education, coaching, or social support to improve:

• Diabetes testing and monitoring
• Medication adherence
• Diet
• Physical activity
• Weight management

Intervention activities take place in patients’ homes or in community or clinical settings, and community health workers may work alone or as part of an intervention team.