Empowering Primary Care Practitioners to Lead in Diabetes Care and Management Free

Nearly 1 in 10 adults worldwide (1) and 1 in 7 adults in the United States (2) are living with diabetes. The central focus of diabetes management is control of hyperglycemia to prevent acute and chronic complications of diabetes, delay disease progression, and optimize quality of life. Additionally, person-centered diabetes care must consider a wide range of medical, psychological, and socioeconomic complexities that are associated with diabetes, hinder its management, and affect patient health and well-being.

Despite continued advances in the science of diabetes management, there have been no commensurate improvements in glycemic control, cardiometabolic risk factors, or health outcomes among people living with diabetes in the United States (3). Gaps in access to care and inequities among marginalized and underserved communities have also persisted (2,3). These gaps in care quality and outcomes can be addressed through greater availability and utilization of comprehensive primary care. Primary care teams with expertise in diabetes management can improve health, narrow disparities, and ensure that all people living with diabetes receive evidence-based, goal-concordant, person- centered, and comprehensive care across their life span (4).

High-quality primary care is foundational to optimal individual and population health, particularly for people living with diabetes and other complex and multifaceted health conditions (4). People living with diabetes commonly have multiple health conditions requiring longitudinal management and coordination with specialists and clinical and community support systems. Diabetes care can be enhanced by providing integrated diabetes self-management education and support, medical nutrition therapy, and medication management and addressing social determinants of health. Many patients—particularly those who are most vulnerable to diabetes and its complications because of their residency in rural or socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, insurance or financial barriers, and lower health literacy—may not have access to endocrinologists and other specialists. Thus, equipping primary care teams to holistically care for people living with diabetes is an urgent priority.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a leading professional and patient advocacy organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To support this mission, ADA funds research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes; delivers services directly to communities; provides objective and credible information about diabetes and its management; and advocates for all people affected by diabetes. ADA is also a professional home for those who study diabetes and care for people living with this disease. Professional members of the ADA can participate in up to three interest groups as a benefit of membership (5). One of these interest groups is the Diabetes in Primary Care Interest Group (DIPC-IG), whose vision is for primary care practitioners and teams to lead in the recognition, early detection, education, support, and treatment of people living with diabetes to prevent the complications of diabetes and to enhance their quality of life (Table 1).

The emergence of new classes of glucose-lowering medications, advances in technology, complex insurance coverage policies, rise in multimorbidity, expanding regulatory and administrative demands on primary care practices, and growing financial barriers to optimal diabetes care for patients and primary care teams all contribute to the challenge of caring for a growing population of patients with diabetes. Primary care clinicians and practices need help, guidance, and support. Providing this support and being responsive to the needs of primary care practitioners is the primary mission of the DIPC-IG (Table 1).

We pursue this mission by combining education, collaboration, advocacy, and research. These activities are cocreated with volunteers across disciplines, including members of other interest groups and ADA staff, to bring a wide range of expertise to primary care audiences. We seek to empower all members of the primary care team to practice at the top of their licensure and work collaboratively to meet the needs of people living with diabetes and their care partners. We also strive to provide an avenue for academic growth and professional engagement for primary care practitioners who are passionate about and committed to improving the quality and accessibility of diabetes care.

At the core of our vision and mission is a commitment to eliminating disparities in diabetes incidence, prevalence, and outcomes among minoritized, marginalized, and disadvantaged communities. Through education, research, and engagement, we advocate for unbiased care, expanded access to and affordability of care, growth of a diverse diabetes care workforce, and engagement of patients, families, and communities in all aspects of diabetes management.

As the current (R.G.M.), past (P.T.), and emeritus (E.E.W.) chairs of the DIPC-IG, we look forward to engaging with primary care practitioners across the United States and around the world to learn, grow, and cocreate our future together as we seek to deliver high-quality person-centered, comprehensive, and coordinated care to all. We hope that you consider joining the ADA and DIPC-IG, lending your passion and expertise to growing diabetes management within primary care, and leveraging the resource made available by the ADA and the DIPC-IG.