What is Diabetes?

 "What is Diabetes?" is the first module in a new diabetes education book geared for healthcare providers to educate people with diabetes who are visual learners, people with health literacy/general literacy issues, or a primary language other than English. Health information on diabetes signs and symptoms and who has a greater risk of developing diabetes are all drawn out in images that are easy to understand. Plain language that describes the images accompanies the artwork.

These drawings and plain language descriptions should make delivering diabetes education easier for healthcare providers working with anyone, especially individuals with different learning styles, language barriers, or literacy challenges. 

Healthy coping activities appear Life with diabetes can be stressful. There are more things to keep  track of, changes in your diet and activity. There is also stress from the cost of medicine and medical care. All of that stress can be hard to handle. Module 2 of Diabetes Health In Images, Healthy Coping with Diabetes, has drawings of healthy coping strategies. Pairing the images with plain language explanations helps the material become easy to understand. Healthy coping methods appear in the drawings, including enjoyment of music, movement (physical activity), drawing or coloring, gathering with friends, singing, and seeing a counselor for Mental Health Services when needed. 

Food and Your Health with Diabetes - Module 3 of Diabetes Health In Images. 

Food choices for five dietary options: Meat and Fish Eaters, Vegetarians/Vegans, Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians, Pescatarians, and Gluten-free food intake (plate structure adapted from the USDA MyPlate meal pattern). The five food options appear in black and white and then in color.  

Snack choices follow the meal options. Snack options initially appear in black and white and then in color. A food presentation like this allows people to see their healthy food intake options. 

 https://health-in-images.checkoutpage.co/food-and-your-health 

Module 4, How Being Active Helps Your Health, has drawings of people doing various activities. These materials can be helpful in diabetes education for all patients, especially those who are visual learners, are nonverbal, and those with language barriers. The safety aspects of being active with diabetes (making sure you take glucose tablets or juice with you to treat low blood sugars and cautions about being active in very hot or cold weather are presented in the drawings. Plain language descriptions of the activity and safety information accompany the drawings, making the information easy to follow. The benefits of regular activity, such as walking, riding a bicycle, swimming, running, hiking, and being active by moving your body daily, can help people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels.

This section will be launched when I receive Authorization for Use of the drawings of medications and associated equipment from the manufacturers. 

Module 5, Taking Medications, has drawings of oral medications for diabetes and their actions. Insulin use with syringes, vials, and insulin pens are present in this section. Basic drawings of the injection process make the information easy to follow. Addressing the varied reading abilities of patients you teach, the images present in a left-to-right pattern on the top half of the page and a right-to-left pattern on the bottom of each brand's first insulin injection page. Arrows show the direction to follow. 

The drawings have plain language descriptions of the images and actions displayed. I created pages showing the timing of holding the needle in the skin with the realization that: 

1. Some people do not have a clock or watch with a second hand. 

2. People with poor numeracy skills can have difficulty counting accurately.

3. Many people do not have access to a cell phone or know how to navigate to the timer on a cell phone. 

The basic counting method developed and drawn for this section serves a specific purpose. It allows people to count the time spent keeping the needle in their skin, even if they have poor numeracy skills or are not readers. This method is designed to assist patients in managing their injectable insulin, ensuring they can follow the instructions accurately and effectively. 

This section will be launched when I receive Authorization for Use of the drawings of medical equipment from the manufacturers.

The Reducing Risks section has visual information (drawings) about neuropathy, signs and symptoms of stroke, diabetes and kidney function, foot care, stopping tobacco use, staying safe at work, and travel safety. The use of home glucose monitors, Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) testing, and Urine Ketone Test Strips are covered in Module 6. I created drawings of each of these testing forms. Plain language explanations of each testing form is present with the drawings. 

Drawings of useful methods of reducing risks associated with diabetes are accompanied by plain language descriptions of the following information:

Heart Disease                                             

Strokes                                           

Diabetes and Brain Health

Cholesterol                                                 

Depression                                     

Eye Health

Hearing Loss                                              

High Blood Pressure                     

Heart Health 

Foot Care                                                    

Diabetes in Pregnancy                  

Diabetes and Travel

Stay Safe at Work                                      

Just In Case - Caring for Your Diabetes During a Weather Emergency of Natural Disaster.                                  

Stopping Tobacco Use 

Diabetes and Dental Care

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