Income disparity in completion of diabetes self-management education: Results from the 2023 Community Health Survey

Objectives: Socioeconomic disparities persist in diabetes prevalence and outcomes, including complications and mortality rates. While diabetes self-management education is essential for effective disease control, little is known about socioeconomic disparities in participation in diabetes self-management education. Methods: Using data from the 2023 Community Health Survey, we examined the participation rate in diabetes self-management education by income level. We also examined whether associated factors varied by income level. Results: Among diabetes patients aged 19 or older, only 19.6% in the lowest income quintile reported having received diabetes self-management education, whereas the participation rate was nearly double, at 39.1% in the highest income quintile. Age, educational attainment, and treatment method consistently correlate with diabetes self-management education participation, regardless of income level. However, gender, residential area, living alone, and comorbid hypertension were associated with diabetes self-management education only in certain income groups. Conclusion: Tailored strategies are necessary to improve diabetes self-management education access, particularly for low-income patients.