Education, Skills Training, and Empowerment in Diabetes

The global rise of diabetes demands strategies that extend beyond pharmacological treatment. Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is widely acknowledged as a critical component of optimal diabetes care throughout all stages of life. The ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors™ include healthy eating, being active, monitoring, taking medications, problem-solving, reducing risks, and healthy coping, and provide an evidence-based foundation for building practical skills and sustaining long-term behavior change.Despite strong evidence, significant gaps persist worldwide: limited access to structured diabetes education, low health literacy, technological and cultural barriers, and insufficient ongoing support. Expanding equitable access, strengthening skills training, and integrating psychosocial well-being into diabetes care remain global priorities.This Research Topic seeks contributions examining how education, skills training, and empowerment approaches can improve self-care, promote well-being, and reduce disparities in diabetes outcomes. We encourage submissions that align with the ADCES7 framework and focus on person-centered, adaptable, and scalable innovations.We welcome manuscripts on:1) Conceptual and theoretical advances: DSMES models; behavioral frameworks; health literacy and numeracy; motivational interviewing; communication strategies and stigma reduction.2) Skills training for self-management: Glucose monitoring and CGM skills; insulin and medication use; nutrition competencies; technology literacy for pumps, sensors, and apps; real-world problem-solving.3) Empowerment and psychosocial care: Interventions targeting self-efficacy, resilience, and healthy coping; mental health and diabetes distress; family, peer, and community support.4) Innovations in delivery and digital health: Telehealth, mobile apps, serious games, virtual learning, hybrid DSMES models; personalized digital education; solutions addressing the digital divide.5) Implementation and health systems research: Integration of DSMES into clinical and community settings; implementation science on scalability, sustainability, workforce training, and cost-effectiveness; structural and policy approaches.6) Special and underserved populations: include children, adolescents, adults, older adults, individuals with comorbidities, and groups facing social or environmental barriers to effective self-care. Topic editors: Edson da Silva, DENISE MACHADO MOURÃO, Jaclynn Hawkins Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77461/education-skills-training-and-empowerment-in-diabetes