Rural/Urban Disparities in Utilization of Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) to the Fee-for-Service Medicare Population, 2017–2024

Authors

• Wanying Zhu, University of Kentucky
• Aleksandr Taraskin, University of Kentucky
• Jeffrerey Talbert, University of Kentucky

Abstract

Key Report Highlights

• A significant rural DSMT access gap exists. Rural beneficiaries accounted for 20.1% of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes but only 7.8% of DSMT participants.

• Geographic availability remains limited. Only 16.8% of counties with DSMT utilization were rural.

• Access, not demand, appears to be the primary challenge. Rural counties offering DSMT achieved utilization rates more than twice those observed in urban counties (6.0% vs. 2.5%).

• Expanding rural DSMT capacity may represent a high-impact opportunity to improve diabetes self-management support among underserved Medicare beneficiaries.

Publication Date

8-2026

Repository Citation

Zhu, Wanying; Taraskin, Aleksandr; and Talbert, Jeffrerey, "Rural/Urban Disparities in Utilization of Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) to the Fee-for-Service Medicare Population, 2017–2024" (2026). Rural & Underserved Health Research Center Publications. 33.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/ruhrc_reports/33

Archival?

Archival