Diabetes News
Subscribe to the free DSHS Diabetes email list to receive the Diabetes News You Can Use by email. You also will receive periodic messages related to public meetings and activities of the DSHS Diabetes Prevention and Control Program.
May 2023 ![]()
Diabetes News You Can Use is a free news bulletin of the Texas Department of State Health Services. It is compiled by the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, and highlights information and news related to diabetes.
Spotlight
In November of 2022, the FDA approved the first drug that can delay the onset of Type 1 Diabetes. This new drug, Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv) can delay the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes in adults and pediatric patients who are at least 8 years or older, potentially delaying the burden of disease for months or even years for those patients.
Programs in Texas
Nourish – The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston)
The Nourish program with UTHealth Houston provides resources regarding how to plant, grow, and harvest food seasonally and sustainably, cooking skills videos in English and Spanish, and healthy recipes. They also host the Community Young Farmer’s & Young Chef’s Summer Camp for children ages 7 to 12.
Texas Farmers Market – What's in Season?
Find out what fruits and vegetables are in season this summer with this list from the Texas Farmers Market. The Texas Farmers Market also provides Vendor Spotlights with recipes using produce that is currently in season.
Diabetes News and Resources
Diabetes Emergency Kit Checklist
As summer approaches, extreme weather conditions become more common, providing unique challenges for those with diabetes and those who care for people with diabetes. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) has some recommendations regarding what should be kept in a diabetes emergency kit and a video on how to pack the kit. The kit checklist is available in English and Spanish.
Texas Summer Camps for Children with Diabetes
The Diabetes Education & Camping Association has a search tool that can be used to find summer camps for children with diabetes. These summer camps provide children with diabetes an opportunity to interact with other children like them in a safe and structured environment. Please refer to each camp’s website for more information.
Tips for Managing Diabetes in the Heat
People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are potentially at a greater risk of being affected by the summer heat due to certain diabetes complications, increased risk of dehydration, and changes in how the body uses insulin in high temperatures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some tips for managing diabetes as temperatures outside increase.
Journal Articles
Utilization of Continuous Glucose Monitors in a Group Medical Visit Setting
December 29, 2022 – International Journal of Diabetes and Clinical Research
Group medical visits (GMV) are an evidence-based care model shown to improve outcomes in diabetes. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are wearable devices that continuously measure glucose and provide feedback on glycemic changes in response to diet and exercise. This study assessed the use of CGMs in a GMV setting to improve patient use, quality of life, and metabolic outcomes including glycemic control through modified lifestyle behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes. At the end of the study, participants had a significant reduction in hemoglobin A1c levels, weight, and average glucose.
Trial of Hybrid Closed-Loop Control in Young Children with Type 1 Diabetes
March 16, 2023 – The New England Journal of Medicine
Closed-loop control systems of insulin delivery may improve glycemic outcomes in young children with type 1 diabetes. However, the efficacy and safety of virtually initiating a closed-loop system are unclear. A randomized control trial showed that the glucose level was in the target range for a greater percentage of time with a closed-loop system than with standard care, including in children with virtually initiated closed-loop systems.
Other Diabetes Education Opportunities and Events
Webinars
Ask the Experts: Just Do It! Being Active May Be the Most Important Contribution to Your Health
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is offering a free webinar and teaching the importance of blood sugar management at all activity levels from desk exercises to high-intensity sports. The webinar will be from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM on June 13th, 2023.
Ask the Experts: Now What? Life After Diabetes Complications
The American Diabetes Association is hosting a webinar where they will share therapies and services commonly used after diabetes related complications. The webinar will be from 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM on July 11th, 2023.
Ask the Experts: Lifestyle Choices Matter. How to Quit Bad Habits
The American Diabetes Association is hosting this webinar where they will share tools and education for how to stop unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking. The webinar will be from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM August 8th, 2023.
Events/Announcements
Diabetes Self-Management Class
In this free class hosted by Advent Health, attendees will gain a better understanding of diabetes and how to manage blood sugar through healthy lifestyle habits. The class is on Thursday, July 27th from 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM at the Sue Mayborn Women’s Center Classroom in Killeen.
The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a diabetes information class series on the third Wednesday of each month through the end of the year. The first class starts May 17th from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM at the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library in Brenham.
Partner Events
Free 1-hour Educational Session for Diabetes Education
Four diabetes education classes will be hosted by Northeast Texas Public Health District. Starting May 19th and continuing every Thursday through June 16th, 2023, a Certified Diabetes Educator will teach about planning healthy meals, interpreting A1C readings, and other related topics. The course will be Thursdays from 5:30 PM- 6:30 PM at the Eastview Church of God in Kilgore.
Ag Worker Health 102: Supporting Agricultural Worker Health
The National Center for Farmworker Health in partnership with the Farmworker Health Network will be hosting a webinar titled Ag Worker Health 102: Supporting Agricultural Worker Health! Presenters will provide information on the most relevant current agricultural worker policy issues and explore effective service delivery models. Presenters will also highlight training and technical assistance opportunities and share resources and promising practices to support health center staff in the implementation of service delivery changes and adaptations when serving the agricultural worker population. The webinar will be on May 23rd, 2023 at 1:00 PM.
Diabetes Summer Camps
This overnight camp in the Rio Grande Valley hosts a diabetes summer camp for children ages 7-14. The camp will be held the last week of June.
This overnight camp in Gainesville hosts a diabetes summer camp for children ages 6-19. There are three sessions, each two and a half weeks long that run from early June through early August.
This camp in Stoney Creek Ranch in New Ulm hosts a week-long diabetes summer camp for children entering grades 1-12. The camp will run from June 12-16 from 8:30 AM- 3:30 PM.
This overnight camp at Ceta Canyon Camp and Retreat Center in Happy hosts a Junior and Senior diabetes summer camp for children ages 5-18. The Junior Camp is for children ages 5-12 and it is from June 11-17. The Senior Camp is for children ages 13-18 and is from June 18th-24th, 2023.
This overnight camp in the YMCA Collin County Adventure Camp in Anna hosts a diabetes summer camp for children ages 5-17. There are two sessions, one for younger campers (ages 5-12) and one for teen campers (ages 13-17); both sessions are from June 5-8, 2023.
This overnight camp in Kerrville hosts a type 1 diabetes summer camp for children ages 6- 21. There are two sessions for children with type 1 diabetes; the first is from July 2-8 and the second is from July 9-15, 2023.
This camp at St. Mary’s Hall in San Antonio hosts a summer camp for children with diabetes over the age of 5. Siblings of fellow campers who are over the age of 9 are also welcome to apply. Camp will be from July 18-July 21 from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
FAQ
Q: What diabetes-related data and/or data resources does the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program have access to and/or could direct me to?
A: The data source most often used is the Texas Health Data- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. It has many different “Health Topics” from which you can obtain specific data for. The data is graphed to show how it has changed from year to year and is broken down by demographics.
Q: If I would like to know more about organizations that support diabetes research, education, and treatment, where should I go?
A: There are several national organizations that contribute to diabetes research and education:
Texas-specific organizations include:
Feedback
For any questions or feedback regarding our newsletter, or ideas for future newsletter topics, please email the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program at diabetes@dshs.texas.gov.
Past Issues
(All past issues are PDF documents.)
Feb 2022 | May 2022 | Agust 2022 | November 2022
Feb 2021 | May 2021 | August 2021 | Nov 2021 |
Jan 2020 | Feb 2020 | March 2020 | April 2020 | May 2020 | June 2020
July 2020 | Aug 2020 | Sept 2020 | Oct 2020 | Nov 2020
The articles and hyperlinks to external websites appearing in Diabetes News You Can Use are intended to be informational and do not represent an endorsement by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Other websites may not be accessible to people with disabilities. For more information about any of the items listed, please contact the sponsoring organization directly.