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Diabetes is serious chronic disease. Type 1 Diabetes can happen at any age but happens most often in childhood or adolescence. Type 1 occurs when the body no longer makes insulin. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and can develop at any age, even in childhood. Type 2 Diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use insulin properly. The organizations on this listing provide information for persons across the lifespan (children, teens, and adults).
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), diabetes effects more than 827,000 adults in Illinois. Complications related to diabetes include heart disease, vision loss, and amputations. There are community resources available to persons and families living with Diabetes.
Below is a list with a brief explanation of various resources that may be for your use. Remember, some classes are free-of-charge while others are not. So please, check on cost and insurance coverage for all classes.
Access Health Network
Access Community Health Network is Chicago area's network of 35 federally-qualified health centers throughout Chicago. Health centers are located throughout Cook and DuPage Counties. They provide medical care and free diabetes education classes.
https://www.achn.net/
Phone: 1-866-267-2353
American Association of Diabetes Educators
The American Diabetes Association of Diabetes Educators provides a listing of education classes and educational materials for persons with diabetes. The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) is an interdisciplinary professional membership organization dedicated to improving prediabetes, diabetes and cardiometabolic care through innovative education, management and support.
https://www.diabeteseducator.org/
125 S. Wacker Drive Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Phone: 800-338-3633
American Diabetic Association
The American Diabetic Association has a variety of free resources such as applications for apple or android phones to assist with tracking blood sugar, meals, and activity, meal planning and grocery shopping, on-line education, and a listing of classes throughout Illinois. In addition, the American Diabetes Association provides diabetes research, information and advocacy. The mission of the organization is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected.
Visit the website or call for education information on:
– Diabetes Basics
– Living with Diabetes
– Food and Fitness
– News and Research
https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes
Phone: 1-800-342-2383 1-800-diabetes
Children with Diabetes
Children with Diabetes is an online community for kids, families, and adults with diabetes. The support network is a database of parents, children, teens, adults, relatives and friends willing to exchange mail or e-mail about diabetes, baby sit, help out college kids, and meet newly diagnosed families. The community helps those struggling with a new diagnosis who want feedback from people living with diabetes.
https://childrenwithdiabetes.com/
No phone available
CDC Centers for Disease Control - Diabetes
explains type 1 and 2, gestational diabetes and prediabetes in English and Spanish
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html
Phone: 800-232-4636
Diabetes Empowerment Centers
The Diabetes Empowerment Centers (DEC) is a group of community organizations throughout Chicago who are dedicated to providing education materials and programs to encourage and support healthy lifestyles. To learn more about these partners, contact Northwestern Medicine at 312-926-2301. A partial list of the DEC’s community partners appears on the following link:
https://prcc-chgo.org/2014/11/10/dec/
2753 W. Division Street
Chicago Illinois 60622
Phone: 773-342-0855
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Diabetes Control and Prevention Center
The IDPH provides educational material that can be loaded, information on meal planning and free community support services. To learn more, contact the IDPH at the number or website below.
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diabetes/il-prevention-control-program
Phone: 217-782-4877
Learning About Diabetes, Inc.
Learning About Diabetes, Inc. is a non-profit charity providing easy-to-understand diabetes-care information in English and Spanish. Information is presented using art as a modality to help those with diabetes better understand and manage their care. To view the materials click on the following link:
https://learningaboutdiabetes.org/
Phone: 520-561-7100
National Diabetes Education Program
The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) provides free information to assist people in preventing and living with diabetes. It is a partnership of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and numerous public and private organizations.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes
Phone: 800-860-8747
The Chicago Lighthouse
The Chicago Lighthouse is a world-renowned social service organization serving the blind, visually impaired, disabled and Veteran communities. Recognized as a pioneer in innovation since 1906, The Chicago Lighthouse provides vision rehabilitation services, education, employment opportunities and assistive technology for people of all ages. They offer diabetes prevention programs. To learn more, click on the link below or call.
https://chicagolighthouse.org/diabetes/
Phone: 312-447-3254
This content is for informational purposes only and may not be comprehensive. Information contained does not imply an endorsement from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and does not replace the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. See here for further details.
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