El Paso Center for Diabetes

The El Paso Center for Diabetes is a not-for-profit organization that has been in existence in El Paso since 1968. Formerly known as the El Paso Diabetes Association, our doors first opened in Mrs. Estelle Goodman’s garage in November of 1968 as a means to provide support for families with children with type 1 diabetes. Today, the El Paso Center for Diabetes remains a local, independent, nonprofit organization in the El Paso Region that offers comprehensive diabetes management, prevention, and support programs. El Paso Center for Diabetes has taken on a leadership position in diabetes management in El Paso, Texas, as one of a handful of nationally accredited diabetes programs within the region. Since 2014, the Center has been accredited by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specilists.

While diabetes is not a reportable disease, it is estimated that 9.4% of the United States population has the disease, making it the 7th leading cause of death. El Paso is the sixth largest city in Texas with a diabetes prevalence of 13.9% among adults, which roughly translates to 94,000 people. Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in adults over the age of 75 in El Paso with 32.2% of deaths occurring in El Paso caused by diabetes complications compared to 20.9% and 21.2% deaths in Texas and the United States, respectively. Given these numbers, the burden of diabetes is evident.

Though subject to the above the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance (BRFSS) limitations, the 2015-2019 data for El Paso County reveal a significant diabetes problem, especially among older working age and elderly residents.

While the El Paso Center for Diabetes is a modest organization with a current staff of 6 members, it has demonstrated the capability to deliver diabetes related services. For example, since 2003 the Center has held an annual FACES of Diabetes Conference to help foster the knowledge, competence, and skills of health care professionals involved in the care and treatment of patients with diabetes. Since 2009, the Center has been accredited and recognized by the Diabetes Education Accreditation Program (DEAP) on behalf of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). From 2014-2019, the Center was funded through the Texas Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Diabetes Education Program (CDEP) to implement a large-scale diabetes prevention and management education effort in El Paso. The El Paso Center for Diabetes has also continually held a children’s summer camp since 1986 for children with diabetes.

While the El Paso Center for Diabetes is a modest organization with a current staff of 6 members, it has demonstrated the capability to deliver diabetes related services. For example, since 2003 the Center has held an annual FACES of Diabetes Conference to help foster the knowledge, competence, and skills of health care professionals involved in the care and treatment of patients with diabetes. Since 2009, the Center has been accredited and recognized by the Diabetes Education Accreditation Program (DEAP) on behalf of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). From 2014-2019, the Center was funded through the Texas Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Diabetes Education Program (CDEP) to implement a large-scale diabetes prevention and management education effort in El Paso. The El Paso Center for Diabetes has also continually held a children’s summer camp since 1986 for children with diabetes.