Philly Leader

Temple Health organized its fourth annual Diabetes Alert Day at the ShopRite of Fox Street on March 25. The aim was to provide diabetes education and nutrition information directly to shoppers. "You have to meet people where they are," said Casey Dascher, Temple Diabetes Program Manager. "And what better place to talk about diabetes education and nutrition than a grocery store?"

Throughout the day, numerous services were offered to shoppers, including nutrition tours, A1C checks, diabetic foot screenings, retinal screenings, and more, according to Tonja Belo, Senior Care Transition Manager for Population Health. This initiative saw expertise drawn from various fields within Temple, including Family & Community Medicine, Ophthalmology, and Temple University nutrition students.

Lakisha Sturgis, Director of Community Care Management for Population Health, emphasized the focus on diabetes due to its prevalence and potential complications. She noted the significance of offering diabetic foot screenings, especially in a nearby zip code with the highest rate of lower limb amputations in the city. "Unmanaged diabetes can lead to end-stage renal disease, stroke, heart disease, and eye disease," Sturgis highlighted.

The event also addressed the importance of healthy food choices in diabetes management and prevention. "We wanted to give our community members the chance to ask an expert, ‘Hey, I’m dealing with this condition: can you tell me what I should eat, and how I can reduce the amount of sugar in my diet, and which carbohydrates are best?’” Sturgis mentioned.

Dascher encouraged shoppers to consider non-starchy vegetables and whole food items. "We want people to make their plates as colorful as possible," Dascher stated. She also stressed the importance of personalized nutrition due to the diversity of cultural backgrounds: “Nutrition is linked to our family, our religion, and our culture."

The event highlighted Temple Health's Diabetes Education Program, offering education on various aspects of diabetes care. Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Che Smith provided insights into the services available. Edoris Lomax, Program Coordinator for Population Health, introduced the Diabetes Prevention Program for individuals with risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.

"Improving access to care is really what Temple Health does best," said Sturgis, highlighting the significance of providing education and screenings within the community. Dascher added, "It fills our cup to be in the community and to be helping people."