Train Peer Supporters
Please see Disclaimer: Peer Support Resources below.
(Unit 1, Mod. 1.1, Section 2)Metabolic Control
What is it?
The A1C blood test shows the average blood sugar levels of a person with diabetes over the previous 2-3 months. Generally, it should be checked every 3-6 months to ensure that the diabetes is well controlled. This test helps determine changes that need to be made to a diabetes care plan to better manage blood sugar. The general target is to get A1C<7%.
Why is it important?
People with diabetes need to regularly monitor their blood sugar because their bodies are always changing due to diet, activity, stress, and hormones. People with A1C<7% with good control of blood pressure and cholesterol are less likely to develop blindness, kidney disease or require amputations.
Learn more about metabolic control from the following resources:
- The National Diabetes Education Program's "The Power to Control Diabetes is in Your Hands" provides information for people with diabetes, their families, and their friends about taking control of diabetes to reduce risks.
Find handouts, tools, and educational modules on metabolic control to help train peer supporters and offer peer support:
- The Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center (MDRTC) offers a handout on general diabetes information called "A1C-What's in a name?"
Disclaimer: Peer Support Resources
Peers for Progress aims to serve peer support programs around the world by providing a compilation of web-based resources for developing and enhancing these programs. Framed by peer support's core functions as outlined in Learn, we selected these materials from varied sources and from materials provided to us. In doing so, we have sought to include materials that reflect state-of-the-art knowledge of diabetes, peer support, diabetes management, and health promotion. Users should exercise their own judgment in assessing the appropriateness of materials for their own setting and population. Peers for Progress assumes no responsibility for the quality of evidence on which materials are based or consequences of their use.
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Peers for Progress is a program of the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation and supported by the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation.