🎯Three Phases · One Force Field
Every square belongs to one of three phases of mastery. Inside each square's detail panel, the four sections — Concepts · Skills · Actions · Plan — are the building blocks of these phases. Read each square with that ladder in mind.
📘 Learn It Tier 1 · Aware
Identity earned: Self-Advocate. The "know" — head knowledge, definitions, mental model of SCD and its red flags.
🛠 Live It Tier 2 · Active
Identity earned: Care-Team Member. The "do" — daily skills you can demonstrate and this-week actions that turn skills into habits.
📣 Share It Tier 3 · Certified
Identity earned: Ambassador. The "carry forward" — long-arc plan, teaching, mentoring, sharing insights with clinicians, advocacy.
🛡️Your Force Field — 16 Squares
Click any square to open its detail panel. Each square is a tile in your shield. Keep clicking, learning, and acting — your Force Field gets stronger every step.
What Is Type-2 Diabetes?
Your body can't use insulin well, so blood sugar runs high. A1c ≥6.5% diagnoses it. Long-term high sugar damages eyes, kidneys, nerves, and vessels — but most damage is preventable with control.
Primer360 Human Anatomy
Endocrine / Vascular
Pancreas → insulin → cells → glucose. In T2D the cells stop responding well, glucose runs high, and downstream organs (eyes, kidneys, nerves, vessels) take damage over years.
AnatomyWho Gets It?
~37M Americans (1 in 10). Another ~96M have prediabetes. Risk rises with age, weight, family history, sedentary lifestyle, sleep apnea, gestational diabetes history. Higher rates in AA, Hispanic, AI/AN, Asian American populations.
PrimerThe Numbers
~37M U.S. adults with T2D · ~$413B/yr U.S. cost · 7th leading cause of death · most damage prevented with A1c at goal · 1 in 5 don't know they have it.
PrimerKnow My Numbers
A1c (3-month average glucose), fasting glucose, time-in-range. Most adults' A1c goal is <7%. Know yours. Bring your glucose log to every visit.
Learn ItMaster Meds & Devices
Metformin first-line. GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide) for cardiometabolic patients. Insulin when needed. SGLT2 for kidney/heart. CGM or fingerstick monitoring.
Learn ItSpot Red Flags Early
DKA signs (fruity breath, nausea, fast breathing, confusion) · severe hypoglycemia (shaking, sweating, confusion, seizure) · foot infection · rapid vision change · stroke FAST signs. Some are 911.
Learn ItLifestyle Force Field
Low-glycemic eating · 150 min/week movement · 7+ hours sleep (sleep apnea worsens glucose) · weight loss (5–10% drops A1c measurably) · alcohol moderation · stress + breathing skills.
Learn ItMake Every Visit Count
Bring your glucose log (or download CGM data). List 3 questions. Do teach-back. Ask: "What's my A1c goal?" "If you were me, what would you do?" Map next steps.
Live ItCare Team Members
Primary care, endocrinologist (if needed), CDCES (diabetes educator), RD/dietitian, pharmacist, ophthalmologist (annual eye), podiatrist (foot care), behavioral health, peer mentor.
Live ItTelemedicine & Tech
Video visits for glucose review, CGM data sharing with team, MyChart, smart pens, wearables for activity/sleep, GLP-1 telehealth pathways. Most T2D visits can be virtual.
TechInsurance & Cost
Metformin is cheap generic. GLP-1s and CGMs need prior auth. Co-pay help: NeedyMeds, manufacturer programs, ADA assistance. Medicare covers DSMT (Diabetes Self-Management Training).
Live ItEquity & the 4-Way Cluster
T2D rates higher in AA, Hispanic, AI/AN, Asian American populations. T2D + HTN + OSA + SCD = compounded vascular damage and the highest preventable-stroke burden in AA populations. Screen for the cluster.
Share ItTeach, Mentor, Ambassador
Teach your family their A1c numbers. Cook DASH-style with your partner. Mentor a newly-diagnosed neighbor. Speak at church, employer, community center about prevention.
Share ItShare Insights with Clinicians
Bring CGM data. Write a short "what worked, what didn't, what we learned" letter. Help train residents on insulin starts and GLP-1 onboarding. Patient stories change practice.
Share ItJoin the ROI Study
PHIT — Population Health Impact Tracking. Aggregate & anonymous. Help prove this program reduces A1c, ED visits, and total cost of care for T2D populations.
Study🩺 Hand-off to my Clinician
Print and bring to your next visit. This page tells your care team what you have prepared for, what you want to focus on, and how you would like to participate as an active member of the team.
- I am a Prepared Patient in training for Type-2 Diabetes. I have reviewed all 16 squares of this Force Field Fact Sheet.
- I have started building my Health Passport, my Red Flag list, and my glucose log / CGM data to bring to every visit.
- I want to teach back what I have learned and have you correct anything I have misunderstood — especially around my A1c goal, insulin/GLP-1 dosing, hypoglycemia, and when to call vs. when to go to the ED.
What helps my visit
Two minutes for me to teach back. One question I prepared. My glucose log on my phone. Confirm my A1c goal on the chart.
What I am working on
Hitting my A1c goal · medication adherence (esp. GLP-1 / insulin) · low-glycemic eating · CGM technique · sleep apnea screen · annual eye + foot + kidney screens · cardiometabolic comorbidity awareness.
How I want to participate
Shared decisions. Full med list before changes. Tell me your top 1–2 priorities so we agree. Use the AHRQ SHARE Approach. Help me see my numbers, not just my prescription. Talk to me about cardiometabolic comorbidity (HTN, OSA, CKD).
🔬 Help Prove This Works — Join the FFH ROI & PHIT Study
The Prepared Patient program is being studied to see whether better preparation actually reduces ER visits, hospital stays, and total cost of care — for you and for the people in your circle of influence. Your participation is voluntary, your data is aggregated and anonymized, and you can withdraw at any time.
➕ Add-On Force Field Card · Device or Skill Mastery
If your care plan adds a medical device or new skill, bolt on a 5-step Add-On Card. For T2D common bolt-ons include: CGM onboarding (Dexcom, Libre), GLP-1 injection technique, insulin pen mastery, low-glycemic meal planning, foot inspection routine, glucometer technique, MyChart messaging.
Introduce
What it is, why it matters, what it does
Coach
Watch a demo + walk-through
Practice
Do it with a coach watching
Train
Use it daily with a check-in
Test
Demonstrate competence + earn badge
Ready to go deeper?
The Prepared Patient · Type-2 Diabetes course turns this fact sheet into a guided journey: pre/post knowledge checks, teach-back, CGM training, badge tests, and your printable Health Passport. Earn Aware → Active → Certified.