From Clinic to Community: Partnering with Cooperative Extension to Improve Diabetes Outcomes

The webinar highlighted several Cooperative Extension-led diabetes education programs across the U.S., including Diabetes Prevention Program adaptations, Dining with Diabetes, Balancing with Diabetes, and the Health Extension for Diabetes program. These programs combine nutrition education, physical activity, goal setting, and peer support to prevent or manage T2D. The discussion highlighted Cooperative Extension’s role in bridging research and community delivery, with strong reliance on local trust and partnerships, especially in underserved populations. It also covered program evaluation, cultural adaptation, recruitment and retention challenges, and reliance on clinical partners like dietitians and diabetes educators. Key challenges include funding sustainability, limited reimbursement options, and balancing program depth with reach. Overall, the webinar emphasized both the impact of these programs and opportunities for cross-state collaboration and expansion. 0:00 Welcome & Overview of CEDER 4:36 Overview of Webinar and Introductions 9:33 What is Cooperative Extension 11:42 Why Extension Exists 14:07 Where is Extension? Land Grant Universities 15:03 What Makes Extension Unique 17:12 How Extension Works: From Research to Community Impact 20:03 How do we decide what programs to implement 21:54 Prediabetes and Diabetes 22:46 Extension Diabetes-Related Programs 23:46 National Diabetes Prevention Program 36:21 Dining with Diabetes: National Extension Working Group 48:10 Balanced Living with Diabetes: For people with diabetes and their families 1:00:38 Healthy Extension for Diabetes: Clemson University 1:09:54 Compare and Contrast 1:11:18 Discussion 1:26:16 Contact Information