YEREVAN, Armenia — On October 31, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences (TCHS) hosted an educational workshop titled “Diabetes Management: Best Practice Guidelines for Healthcare Professionals” in the Akian Art Gallery. The session was led by Shehnaaz Mohamed, lecturer in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at AUA and certified diabetes educator.
The workshop brought together healthcare professionals, students, and educators to discuss global and national trends in diabetes, emphasizing evidence-based approaches for prevention, early diagnosis, and comprehensive management. With translation provided in Armenian, the event ensured accessibility and engagement across the local healthcare community.
Mohamed provided an overview of current global statistics, noting that one in nine people worldwide live with diabetes, with approximately 40% remaining undiagnosed. Citing data from the International Diabetes Federation and local sources, she highlighted that Armenia’s diabetes prevalence reached 7.7% in 2024, underscoring the growing public health burden.
Drawing on landmark studies such as the Diabetes Prevention Program, the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study, and the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, the presentation emphasized the importance of early intervention, tight glucose and blood pressure control, and sustained lifestyle changes. Mohamed also discussed the long-term benefits of early and aggressive management — often referred to as the “legacy effect” — which can significantly reduce microvascular and cardiovascular complications.
The session also covered best practices in nutrition therapy, team-based care, and patient self-management. Mohamed stressed that successful diabetes care requires active patient participation and multidisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals. She referred to the Canada Diabetes Clinical Practice Guidelines (2018), which advocate for individualized, patient-centered care, supported by dietitians and health educators.
In closing, Mohamed thanked TCHS for the opportunity and Dr. Kristina Sargsyan (MPH ’21) for helping her understand the local Armenian context in diabetes management. Attendees were highly engaged with the material and expressed their commitment to improving diabetes care in Armenia.
The AUA Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences works actively to improve population health and health services in Armenia and the region through interdisciplinary education and development of health professionals to be leaders in public health, nursing, health services research and evaluation, and health care delivery and management.
