Bridging the diabetes care gap: cost-effective impact of self-management education and support

The global burden of diabetes mellitus continues to increase, particularly in developing countries, driven by urbanization, lifestyle changes, and demographic shifts. Despite advances in medical treatments, the growing prevalence of diabetes and its complications underscores the inadequac...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Emmanuel Kumah, Desmond Kofi Kwawuvi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academia.edu Journals 2025-05-01
Series:Academia Medicine
Online Access:https://www.academia.edu/129577167/Bridging_the_diabetes_care_gap_cost_effective_impact_of_self_management_education_and_support
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Summary:The global burden of diabetes mellitus continues to increase, particularly in developing countries, driven by urbanization, lifestyle changes, and demographic shifts. Despite advances in medical treatments, the growing prevalence of diabetes and its complications underscores the inadequacy of traditional healthcare approaches in addressing the complexities of this chronic condition. This paper highlights diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) as a critical intervention for empowering people to actively manage their condition and improve clinical outcomes. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory, this paper outlines the core components of DSMES programs, including knowledge acquisition, skill development, and behavior change. Evidence demonstrates that DSMES improves glycemic control, reduces complications, and enhances quality of life while being cost-effective in the long term. However, disparities in access, resource constraints, and variability in program delivery limit its global impact. By synthesizing current evidence, this paper highlights the need for equitable, culturally sensitive, and scalable DSMES interventions to address the growing diabetes epidemic. A concerted effort to integrate DSMES into healthcare systems, particularly in resource-limited settings, is essential to reduce the global burden of diabetes and promote sustainable health outcomes.
ISSN:2994-435X