When Michael Bass learned five years ago that his blood sugar levels were dangerously high, the 72-year-old made a choice that changed his life. His doctor recommended medication for Type 2 diabetes after testing his A1C, a measure of average blood sugar over several months. But Bass wasn’t ready to rely on prescriptions.

“I wanted to take control of my health,” Bass said. “It helped — taking all-natural supplements, exercising and eating better.”

Through consistent exercise and diet changes, Bass lowered his A1C to 6.1 and maintained that range for three years. The results gave him a sense of empowerment and accomplishment.

Bass’s story is a familiar one in Missouri, where diabetes affects hundreds of thousands of adults and disproportionately impacts Black residents. Health officials

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