Staying Healthy Through the Holidays: Alabama Researchers Lead Community-Driven Diabetes Solutions

The holiday season is a time of celebration, filled with food, family, travel and traditions. But for many people, it can also mean disrupted routines, more time sitting, and eating habits that vary from usual.

Even for those who don’t have a chronic condition like diabetes, this time of year can make it harder to stay healthy. And for those who do, it becomes even more important to keep track of medications, maintain physical activity, and make intentional choices about meals.

“For communities already facing higher rates of diabetes and limited access to care, the holiday season can widen existing health gaps,” shares Joshua Lee, Ph.D., a Forge AHEAD scholar and researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “Rich foods, travel, and stress can make blood sugar control more difficult. Maintaining medication routines, thoughtful eating, and regular activity is key to avoiding complications. Supporting these habits during the holidays helps prevent setbacks and reduces the need for urgent care. It’s also a good time to stay connected with community resources, like local clinics or community health workers, who can help bridge gaps and keep patients engaged in their care.”

“For communities already facing higher rates of diabetes and limited access to care, the holiday season can widen existing health gaps,” shares Joshua Lee, Ph.D., a Forge AHEAD scholar and researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “Rich foods, travel, and stress can make blood sugar control more difficult. Maintaining medication routines, thoughtful eating, and regular activity is key to avoiding complications. Supporting these habits during the holidays helps to stay healthy and reduces the need for urgent care. It’s also a good time to stay connected with community resources, like local clinics or community health workers, who can help bridge gaps and keep patients engaged in their care.”

Across Alabama, Forge AHEAD scholars are exploring approaches that may help communities make small, realistic changes to support better health during the holidays. Their ongoing projects focus on early risk detection, peer-based education, and improved medication systems that could support healthier choices during this time of year.

Healthy routines often slip during the holidays

This time of year brings joy, but also challenges. Regular movement slows down. Meals tend to be heavier and more frequent. Travel or shifting schedules can make it easy to skip a dose of medication or forget to refill a prescription. For some, the season leads to avoidance: “I’ll just start again in January.”

But those small gaps, especially when it comes to blood sugar, blood pressure, or medication use, can grow into larger issues. Many people don’t realize they’re at risk. Others feel overwhelmed or disconnected from resources that could help.

“The holiday season can widen existing health gaps. Rich foods, travel, and stress make blood sugar control more difficult. Staying consistent with medications, food choices, and physical activity helps prevent complications and keeps people out of urgent care.”

— Joshua Lee, Ph.D.

That is where these Alabama-based projects come in. By developing tools that reflect people’s lived experiences and by focusing on support in familiar settings, these researchers aim to offer strategies that may help people maintain healthy habits during the busiest time of year.

Know your risk

Lucia Juarez, Ph.D., a Forge AHEAD scholar and researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is developing a diabetes risk score to help identify individuals, particularly Hispanic adults, who may be living with undiagnosed diabetes. Her work includes factors beyond the clinic, such as food access, language, and transportation.

This approach is intended to help people better understand their risk early, even before symptoms begin. During the holidays, that awareness can lead to small, meaningful behavior changes.

“The holidays are a joyful time, but they can also be a high-risk period for communities already facing a greater burden of diabetes,” said Juarez. “Supporting nutrition, physical activity, and medication use during this time is critical because even small shifts in behavior can have a long-term impact on health, and for Hispanic communities in Alabama, the holidays are an important moment to stay informed and engaged.”

Make a change

Know Your Numbers: Schedule a screening for blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol before the holiday season.
Start Small: Begin healthy holiday swaps, for example, using whole grains instead of refined carbs or drinking water instead of sugary beverages.

“Culturally informed tools help people see themselves in the information we provide. When individuals feel understood and their culture and language are acknowledged, they’re more likely to recognize their risk and take action.”

— Lucia Juarez, Ph.D.

Build trust

Courtney E. Gamston, PharmD, a Forge AHEAD scholar and professor of experiential practice at Auburn University, is working with community health workers (CHWs), trusted individuals trained to help neighbors make informed health decisions. Her project examines how peer-led support from trusted community health workers may assist individuals facing challenges accessing primary care in managing diabetes.

CHWs offer practical strategies for maintaining healthy behaviors during the holidays, such as modifying traditional recipes, organizing family walks, or simply checking in with reminders and encouragement. They are a trusted resource, especially when the healthcare system can feel difficult to access or disconnected from day-to-day life.

“Community health workers empower people to enjoy the holidays while safeguarding their health. Their support helps families stay connected to healthy choices even when routines shift.”

— Courtney Gamston, PharmD

“During the holidays, people spend more time with friends, family, and community, making it harder to maintain healthy habits,” said Gamston. “Community health workers play a key role in providing education, advocating for healthy choices, and connecting individuals to local resources. Their consistent support for healthy choices empowers people to enjoy the holidays while safeguarding their health.”

She added, “The holiday season brings increased temptation to indulge in unhealthy foods, reduced opportunities for physical activity, and disruptions to daily routines which can impact medication-taking behaviors. By prioritizing healthy behaviors, individuals avoid short-term health setbacks and reinforce long-term management strategies. This is especially important in communities at high risk for diabetes because we know that diabetes onset and its outcomes are highly linked to our everyday health choices.”

Stay connected

Connect With a Community Health Worker: Ask your local clinic or community organization if CHW-led programs are available in your area.
Stay Active Together: Organize or join a community walking group or local dance event during the holidays.

Know your medications

Joshua Lee, Ph.D., a Forge AHEAD scholar, is leading a project at UAB that uses artificial intelligence to identify patients at risk of medication errors after hospital discharge. His system helps health teams intervene early, especially for individuals managing diabetes or taking multiple prescriptions.

During the holidays, when pharmacies may have reduced hours and travel can interrupt routines, managing medications becomes more complex. Lee’s work is exploring ways to support safer medication management during care transitions, and individuals can also take steps to stay prepared.

“The holidays can disrupt our daily routines, especially for people managing chronic conditions like diabetes. Missed doses, duplicate medications, or confusion caused by travel and schedule changes can all lead to medication errors. This risk is even higher when care transitions have occurred recently, for example, after a hospitalization, when treatment plans may have changed.

To reduce their risk, patients should carry an up-to-date medication list, clarify any recent changes with their care team, and use tools like pillboxes or phone reminders to stay on track. During the holidays, it’s especially important for caregivers and providers to stay in sync—whether it’s confirming medication lists before traveling or checking in after recent care changes—to help patients avoid gaps or duplications.”

Plan ahead

Keep a Medication List: Write down all medications and bring the list to holiday travel or family events.
Ask Questions: Talk with your pharmacist about refill options if you’ll be traveling or adjusting your schedule.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start.

Whether you’re managing a condition like diabetes, supporting a loved one who is, or just looking to feel better through the holidays, small actions make a difference. The work of these Alabama researchers highlights how health is shaped by more than personal willpower. It is also supported by tools, information, and systems that can make better choices easier.

If you’re ready to take the first step, whether that’s getting screened, walking with a neighbor, or asking your pharmacist a question, you’re already moving in the right direction.

Want to learn more about these projects?

Small Steps for a Healthier Holiday Season

Know Your Health

Schedule a screening for blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol before the holidays (Source: CDC Diabetes Management)
Keep an up-to-date medication list and bring it with you when traveling or attending family events (Source: FDA Medication Tips)

Make Simple Swaps

Choose whole grains instead of refined carbs
Drink water instead of sugary beverages (Source: USDA MyPlate – Diabetes)

Stay Active and Connected

Join or start a walking group or a community holiday dance event (Source: NIDDK – Diabetes and Exercise)
Connect with a community health worker through a local clinic or organization for support

Be Prepared

Talk with your pharmacist ahead of travel to ensure you have needed refills (Source: NIA – Questions About Medications)

Written by: Chris Campos

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