Diabetes mellitus is a global epidemic. It currently affects 246 million people worldwide and is expected to affect 380 million by 2025. (International Diabetes Federation, 2007)
People with diabetes need continuous support in mastering and sustaining complex self-care behaviors that enable them to live as healthily as possible. However, the number of healthcare professionals who can provide care for people with diabetes is not increasing fast enough to meet the current and future demands.
Peers for Progress is a global peer-to-peer patient mentoring program designed to address the growing diabetes epidemic by complementing the efforts of healthcare providers. The program is rooted in peer-to-peer interactions, mentoring and role-modeling to create sustainable individual behavioral changes that will improve long-term diabetes outcomes. Peers for Progress is not a substitute for clinical care or comprehensive diabetes education.
We believe that people living with diabetes have a lot to offer each other. They share knowledge and experience that others often cannot understand. They may ensure appropriate cost-effective, supportive care for people affected by diabetes.
Peers for Progress is sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation in partnership with AAFP. Funding has been provided by the Lilly Foundation.
We invite you to learn more about Peers for Progress and how you can get involved to improve diabetes care, worldwide.
