Five-Minute Consult

Jose R. Sánchez
Executive Director
Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center
Bronx, NY

Diabetic patients waiting to see a physician at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center aren't just flipping through magazines or watching TV. They are learning about proper nutrition, prescription labels, and how to recognize and self-manage the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) thanks to a diabetes education program that relies on volunteers.

Sánchez: In the South Bronx, the prevalence of diabetes is 16%—almost twice as high as the rate in the entire city (9%). In 2006, we received a grant from the United Hospital Fund that promoted diabetes self-management through the active engagement of volunteers.

This program has been overwhelmingly successful. Sixty-three percent of patients said volunteers helped improve their understanding of the information "a lot," 33% said "some," and 68% wanted to speak with the volunteer again.

—Carrie Vaughan