Key points
The DSMES Promotion Playbook is a marketing and promotion tool to help you use consistent messages about DSMES. Get answers to commonly asked questions about how to use the Playbook.
What is the DSMES Promotion Playbook?
This new resource helps accredited and recognized programs and others promote DSMES services.
The DSMES Promotion Playbook is designed to:
- Communicate in one common and compelling voice.
- Resonate with people with diabetes.
- Strengthen partnerships between referring providers and diabetes care and education specialists (DCES).
- Support marketing efforts to increase recruitment and enrollment.
These are the same DSMES services we know and love, but with plain language so more people with diabetes can benefit.
How can my organization use the DSMES Promotion Playbook?
Communicating clearly and consistently about DSMES services makes it easier for other organizations to amplify your outreach efforts. The DSMES Promotion Playbook offers customizable materials to integrate into your existing marketing efforts.
The DSMES Promotion Playbook includes materials and graphics—both customizable and ready to use. It also includes sample communication messages for the following audiences:
- People with diabetes
- Health care providers
- Partners
What if my organization has DSMES marketing materials?
The DSMES Promotion Playbook is meant to complement the outreach materials your program has already created. You can customize templates to add the following:
- Your local program name
- Your contact information
- Your photos
You can also add photos and images from the DSMES Promotion Playbook into your existing materials.
Integrate the DSMES Promotion Playbook
Why was the DSMES Promotion Playbook created?
DSMES services empower people with diabetes to navigate self-management decisions and activities. It is a cost-effective tool proven to help improve health behaviors and health outcomes. However, use of DSMES services is low.
Less than 3% of people with diabetes use DSMES
The DSMES Promotion Playbook is designed to help programs and providers promote DSMES services with one voice. Doing this will help more people with diabetes participate in DSMES services. People with diabetes will learn
- Where to go for help.
- How to take better care of themselves.
- How to reduce the treatment they need, including hospitalization
Why is a "one-voice" approach important?
Think about your favorite places to eat, shop, or travel. How did you hear about them? What made you want to choose them? Consistent messages and images can inspire people and motivate them to act.
Promotional materials can't solve certain challenges that affect enrollment in DSMES services, such as cost, insurance coverage, physical access, or location. Improving recognition of and promoting discussion about DSMES services may help programs and partners advocate for change.
How was the DSMES Promotion Playbook created?
The DSMES Promotion Playbook was developed through a collaborative effort of CDC and national partners. It includes insight from
- People with diabetes.
- Diabetes care and education specialists.
- Referring health care providers.
- State health departments.
- Accredited and recognized programs delivering DSMES services.
CDC's Partner Work Group included representatives from
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- American Diabetes Association
- Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists
- Diabetes Stories from New York
- DiabetesSisters
Based on discussions, concept testing, and a national survey of 500 people, one theme rose to the top. Personalized services to manage diabetes resonated positively with test audiences.
To capture this theme, we used the insights gathered from the development process to create materials that
- Emphasize the idea of personalized services and support ("for me").
- Use the color blue, often associated with diabetes care and support.
- Include a call to action.
- Include places to add local program contact information.