CUT2MD - interactive text message program from ProChange

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Welcome to

Communities United Together to Manage Diabetes

Managing diabetes has its ups and downs.

CUT2MD is a free program that can help you take control of diabetes with personalized support, free appointments with a diabetes expert coach, tailored text tips, and a chance to talk with others who have diabetes.

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Text Tips

Expert Coaching

Discussion Groups

icon representing A1c At-Home testing kit

At-Home A1C Testing

When you sign up, you’ll be invited to answer questions each week. Each time you do, you’ll get customized text tips.

Meet with a diabetes expert coach at a time and place that is convenient for you (up to 4 times). Each visit is expected to last 20-30 minutes. The coach will give you personalized advice on how to manage diabetes.

Take part in up to 7 discussion groups (called New Beginnings) held on Zoom or at your barbershop or hair salon. The meetings will involve activities and conversations about managing diabetes. You can invite a loved one or family members to join those groups.

If you take part in the study, we’ll mail you an A1C test kit. We’ll ask you to test your A1C and let us know what it was. We’ll ask you to do that at the start of the study and 9 months later.

Why join CUT2MD?

“If you don’t take diabetes seriously, it will cost you more than you know. I didn’t take care of my diabetes when I was young. That’s why I went through vision loss and kidney damage.”

- Jose

CUT2MD gives you all the tools you need to manage your diabetes with the help of your barber or stylist, who is now a Diabetes Community Care Coordinator.

CUT2MD is...

Designed to help people living with diabetes overcome barriers to improving their health
Completely confidential
Based on the science of behavior change
Created by a team including ProChange Behavior Solutions (a small business in R.I.), barbers, stylists, community members living with diabetes, the HAIR Network, and the University of Maryland Center for Health Equity

Who can take part?

Anyone who is:

At least 18 years of age
Living with diabetes
Not pregnant
Able to speak and read English

Ready to Join CUT2MD?

Join us to help take control of diabetes!

If you're ready now, just tap or click the button below. Select your barber or stylist. They'll guide you on what to do.

If you want to think it over, ask your barber or stylist for a postcard you can take home. Scan the QR code or text the start word any time to see if CUT2MD is right for you.

Join Us!

How long does the program last?

The program will last for as long as you'd like for up to 9 months.
Every 7 days, we'll text you a few more brief questions (like how much exercise you get) so we can tailor your messages for you. Standard message and data rates apply.
After you answer the initial questions, we'll send you a text message tip every day or every other day.
You can stop the messages at any time by texting us STOP.

What Do I Get Out of CUT2MD?

Good ideas about how to take small steps to manage diabetes
Free, personalized tips on how to be healthier right at your fingertips
Ideas and links to local resources to overcome barriers to being healthy
A chance to share and to help others in your community
A $35 gift card for finishing the first survey and sending us your A1C test result
A $40 gift card for taking the final survey and sending us your A1C test result 9 months from now
Everyone who takes part in CUT2MD and answers their questions will be entered into a drawing to win one of ten $10 prizes or one $100 prize every week. So you can win up to $100 in Amazon* or grocery store gift cards each week just for taking part in the program.
As part of the program, you may be invited to:
- Test your A1C with the test kit provided by the study
- Talk to a Diabetes coach to get personalized recommendations for up to 4 times
- Participate in discussion groups with other people living with diabetes (on Zoom or at your barbershop/hair salon)

Do I have to pay to take part in CUT2MD?

No, there is no cost to you. You’ll receive a $35 gift card for completing a survey at the start of the study and sending us your A1C test result. You’ll receive a $40 gift card for completing a survey at the end of the study and sending us your A1C value.

Everyone who takes part in CUT2MD and answers their questions will be entered into a drawing to win one of ten $10 prizes or one $100 prize every week. So you can win up to $100 in Amazon* or grocery store gift cards each week just for taking part in the program.

*restrictions apply, see amazon.com/gc-legal

What will happen to my data?

Only approved project team members who have been trained to protect people’s privacy can see information you have shared with CUT2MD. Your information will not be shared with anyone outside of the research team. Your barber or stylist will not see your answers. Your phone number will not be shared with or sold to anyone.

Your data may be sent to members of the research team outside of ProChange for data analyses. Any personal information that could identify you will be removed before the data are shared.

There is one exception to the promise of confidentiality: if we see or are told that a child is being abused or neglected or that someone is planning to harm themselves or someone else, we may disclose this information to the proper authorities.

Who should I contact if I have questions about CUT2MD?

Please send any questions or comments to: cut2md@prochange.com

or call Dr. Sara Johnson, the director of the study, at (401) 360-2980.

Approved by Institutional Review Board:IRB00001671, project #2024-1

Read Informed Consent

ProChange Behavior Solutions
91 Point Judith Road
STE 26, Unit #333
Narragansett, RI 02882
1-401-360-2980