CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For Sharisse Johnson, the numbers tell the story. “That 50%. That drives us every day,” Johnson told WCNC Charlotte.
According to the CDC, Latinos are about 50% more likely to die from diabetes than white people.
It is why Johnson, the executive director of Camino Health Center in Charlotte, was thrilled when Camino received a $10,000 grant from the American Diabetes Association.
It provided an opportunity for Camino’s employees to learn more about diabetes to better help serve patients.
“They [American Diabetes Association] gave us access to four different modules, diabetes modules. The first one was just diabetes 101,” Johnson stated.
More than two dozen staff members received training when it comes to type 2 diabetes in young people and navigating the mental and emotional journey.
“Understanding that the symptoms sometimes mimic each other," explained Johnson. "So, if you don’t get help with mental health your diabetes will get worse. As well as if you don’t get help for diabetes your anxiety increases right."
Johnson hopes this training can help reverse trends, so the numbers will eventually tell a different story.
“The hope is that we would be more preventative. So, when someone comes in, we’re asking about pre-diabetes, so we never get to the point where we are talking about insulin or anything like that,” Johnson said.
The grant also allowed Camino Health to boost its wellness program, Camino Vida, for patients.
It gets them connected with a dietitian, fitness specialists and a community health worker.
Contact Nick Sturdivant at nsturdiva1@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.