Digital Health Diabetes Education Improves Health of Rural Communities Across Arkansas
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| LITTLE ROCK — Delivering family-centered diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs through digital health can significantly improve health outcomes for people with Type 2 diabetes, particularly those living in rural and underserved communities, according to researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Institute for Community Health Innovation.
Diabetes affects nearly 11% of the U.S. population and poses an even greater burden in Arkansas, where nearly 15% of residents are living with the disease. As a majority rural state, Arkansas faces unique challenges regarding access to diabetes care and education, including long travel distances, transportation barriers and limited local resources — making digital health a critical strategy for reaching those most in need.
The study, Comparative Effectiveness of Telehealth-Delivered Family Model of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support, is the first to compare standard and family models of DSMES delivered virtually. Researchers found that participants in both digital health DSMES models experienced clinically significant improvements in blood sugar control and management immediately following the program and up to 12 months later.
Notably, the family-centered model led to an increase in helpful family involvement in diabetes care while reducing the potential for harmful family behaviors that could undermine self-management efforts, such as encouraging unhealthy food choices or planning meals that are not diabetes-friendly.
“These results show that DSMES programs are highly effective in improving diabetes outcomes when delivered through digital health,” said Jennifer Andersen, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the institute. “This is especially important among rural populations. Although both approaches helped participants achieve meaningful changes to their health, the family-centered model strengthened supportive family involvement in diabetes care, highlighting the value of engaging patient support networks.”
Additionally, researchers noted that the family-centered model may reduce diabetes-related risk among family members and supportive networks by promoting healthy eating habits, regular physical activity and other self-care behaviors.
“For many rural residents, traveling long distances for diabetes education simply isn’t feasible,” said Pearl McElfish, Ph.D., director of the institute. “Digital health removes that barrier and demonstrates that geography does not have to limit access to care and education, while allowing us to support both individuals living with diabetes, their family members or their support networks.”
The virtual health delivery model met national accreditation standards for DSMES and achieved high attendance, engagement and fidelity without any additional cost or education burden, demonstrating that scalable, reimbursable digital health education is achievable statewide.
“This research shows that digital health DSMES programs align with existing accreditation and reimbursement structures, making it easier for health systems to adopt such a model without adding cost or administrative burden,” said Jonell Hudson, Pharm.D., an associate professor at the UAMS College of Pharmacy. “This is especially important in rural clinics, which often operate with limited funding and resources, but can still expand their reach and provide essential chronic disease education.”
The institute has expanded diabetes education through culturally tailored programs designed to meet the needs of specific populations. These efforts include a faith-based diabetes self-management education program developed in partnership with Marshallese communities in Northwest Arkansas and in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, incorporating cultural values, family engagement and language translation. The institute also leads digital health initiatives, including remote patient monitoring, that support pregnant women with gestational diabetes to reduce complications and improve maternal and infant health across Arkansas. Learn more about the institute’s diabetes improvement initiatives at communityhealth.uams.edu.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,553 students and 902 medical residents and fellows. It is the state’s largest public employer with about 12,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.
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