Free diabetes classes at the Escambia County Health Department are currently in session. The curriculum has already graduated its two inaugural classes. This Thursday evening class will be the last opportunity to join Class No. 3.

Classes left run every Thursday until July 20. All classes begin at 5:30 p.m. The course is instructed by registered nurse, Jessica Fountain, and is open to adults with diabetes or pre diabetes, family members and caregivers.

Alyson Thomas, a graduate with Cohort No. 2, said it’s important to know about what you are putting into your body.

“It is important to understand it is not just about sugar intake, it’s about all of the carbohydrates you eat,” said Thomas. “ I also learned that it is important to not only count carbs, but the amount of fiber you eat is also important”.

Fellow cohort, Al Rausch, said what he feared most was experiencing his sugar bottoming out at night.

“That happened to me once at 2 a.m. and my sugar was 13 instead of 113,” Rausch said. “I had to feel my way to the refrigerator to get cookies and ice cream. Now I am doing better, eating a snack before bed, glass of milk and cookies just so that does not happen again.

“The community will get value out of it. They will talk you through it.”

Participants in the class are a part of the Telehealth Education for Patients Living with Diabetes in Rural Alabama project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

Dr. Jessica Hardy, a RWJF Public Health Nurse Leader, and Dr. Hill, Alabama Action Coalition Leader of Alabama Health Action Coalition (AL-HAC), collaborated with the Brewton Health Department under the leadership of Chad Kent and Suzanne Terrell to make the program available to community residents with the hope of continuing to offer sessions as a service at the health department.

Anyone interested or have any questions about the class can contact Hill at 251-455-4099 or Fountain 205-233-1613.