Our Mission
At CAFEH, we believe that knowledge is power. Our mission is to empower you and your loved ones to take control of your health through education and support.
We’re not just another health program; we’re a movement that puts YOU in the driver’s seat of your health journey. With a laser focus on health literacy, we’ll arm you with the tools you need to demand better health outcomes.
We're here to enhance, not replace, your relationship with healthcare providers. We help you feel confident and knowledgeable on your health journey.
Diabetes & The Brain:
Speak Up. Stay Sharp.
Recap of our Self-Advocacy Event
On September 25, CAFEH hosted a powerful community session led by Dr. Betty Pierre-Gilles, co-founder of CAFEH. Her keynote broke down the differences between Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 Diabetes, and explained how they intersect in ways that affect both the body and the brain.
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Workshop Highlights
First, What Is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone that acts like a key.
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Its job is to open up the “locks” on your cells.
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Once the lock opens, sugar from your food — glucose — can enter the cell and be turned into energy.
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Without insulin, or when it doesn’t work properly, sugar stays stuck in the blood instead of fueling your body and brain.
This foundation made it easier to understand the differences between Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 Diabetes.
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The 3 Types of Diabetes
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Type 1 Diabetes was described as the body not making insulin at all — the key is missing.
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Type 2 Diabetes was explained as the body still making insulin, but not using it properly — the key doesn’t work well.
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Type 3 Diabetes connected the dots: when insulin resistance reaches the brain, it’s like a rusty lock. The key (insulin) can’t open the lock (the cell), so glucose (energy) can’t get inside. Without energy, neurons — the brain’s “wires” — lose power, leading to memory problems and increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The rusty lock metaphor gave participants a clear picture of how diabetes affects the brain — not just blood sugar.
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Important Notes;
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“Type 3 Diabetes” is not an official medical diagnosis. The term is used in research and education to describe insulin resistance in the brain, but it is not formally recognized by all medical practitioners or in all medical literature.
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Not everyone with Type 2 Diabetes develops Alzheimer’s. Many people live with diabetes without ever developing memory problems or dementia.
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Not everyone with Alzheimer’s has insulin resistance. Alzheimer’s is a complex condition with many contributing factors, and insulin resistance is just one piece of the puzzle.
We use the “rusty lock” metaphor to help illustrate one possible way diabetes can impact the brain, but it is not the only explanation.
From Awareness to Action: Speak Up & Innovate
Dr. Pierre-Gilles reminded participants that knowledge is only half the battle. Protecting brain health means:
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Speaking Up: Telling providers about new symptoms, especially changes in memory or energy. Using the word “concern” with specific examples.
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Innovating: Working with providers to develop a personalized plan. Here, innovation isn’t about technology — it’s about co-creating new strategies that fit your life and your care.
CAFEH's Empowerment Journey
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This session was part of Step 3 of CAFEH’s five-step empowerment journey: Self-Advocacy — Speak Up. It also introduced the third “I” of our Health Literacy Framework: Innovate. Together, these remind participants that health is not passive. Every patient has the right to be informed, heard, and respected.
​Closing Takeaway
The rusty lock metaphor showed us that managing diabetes is not just about blood sugar — it’s about protecting the energy your brain needs to stay sharp. As Dr. Pierre-Gilles put it: “Your voice is your power. When you speak up and partner with your provider, you protect not just your body, but your mind.”​
Freedom Starts With Awareness
Recap of our Know The Symptoms Event
On June 19, 2025, CAFEH hosted a virtual workshop, "Know the Symptoms: A Diabetes Awareness Event," as part of our ongoing commitment to making health education accessible, actionable, and culturally relevant. Held in honor of Juneteenth, the event underscored the importance of early health awareness, as delayed knowledge can result in delayed care in healthcare.
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This workshop was part of CAFEH’s Five-Step Health Empowerment Journey, a community-centered approach to health literacy and self-advocacy. The session focused on understanding early warning signs of Type 2 Diabetes and provided participants with tools to recognize changes in their bodies before complications arise.
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Workshop Highlights
Signs vs. Symptoms
We helped participants understand the difference between symptoms (what you feel) and signs (what providers can observe or measure). Both are key in catching diabetes early.
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Common Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
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Fatigue
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Constant hunger or thirst
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Frequent urination
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Blurred vision
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Slow-healing wounds
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Numbness or tingling in the feet
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Unintentional weight loss
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Sexual health changes
Why Screening Is Critical
Many people with pre-diabetes or early-stage diabetes have no noticeable symptoms. Routine lab work and annual visits are essential for early detection and prevention.
Long-Term Risks of Unmanaged Diabetes
Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to:
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Vision loss
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Kidney failure
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Amputations
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Nerve damage
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Increased risk of stroke and heart attack
We also reviewed emergency symptoms—such as fruity-smelling breath, discolored toes, or sudden vision changes—that signal the need for immediate medical attention.
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Tools for Health Confidence
The event introduced Cody, our AI-powered health assistant, which provides culturally responsive answers to health questions in plain English or Haitian Creole. It supports our second step in the empowerment journey—Inquire—by helping community members conduct their research and come prepared to discuss their concerns with their providers.​
Love Your Health 2025
Recap of our Health Literacy 101 Event: Understanding Diabetes
On February 23, 2025, CAFEH (Community Action for Excellent Health) launched the first step of our 5-step Empowerment Program with a session focused on diabetes and health literacy. This step, called Get Clear, helps participants understand important health topics using simple, clear language.
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The session focused on helping people understand diabetes, how it affects the body, and why health literacy is so important. Whether someone joined for their own health, to support a loved one, or to learn more for their community, this session was designed for everyone.
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Here is what we shared:
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Most adults struggle to understand health information
Only 12 percent of adults in the United States have strong health literacy. That means many people do not fully understand what doctors tell them or how to take care of their health. This session helped close that gap by using clear language and real examples.
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Many people feel confused after a doctor’s visit
We talked about how hard it can be to remember medical advice or know what to do next. Participants shared experiences of walking away from appointments unsure of what just happened. We discussed how to feel more prepared and supported during future visits.
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Diabetes is common and often misunderstood
We explained what diabetes is and how it affects the body. In type 1 diabetes, the body destroys the cells that make insulin. Without insulin, the body cannot move sugar from the blood into cells for energy. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not respond to insulin properly. Over time, sugar builds up in the blood and can lead to serious problems.
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Clear understanding helps people take better care of themselves and others
When people know how a condition works, they can take small steps to manage it, support others, and ask better questions. Health literacy is not about knowing everything. It is about having the right tools to feel confident, take action, and ask for help when needed.
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This event supported our goal of making health education more clear, caring, and useful. It showed how important it is to start with basic understanding before moving on to bigger decisions.
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The next session in our program will focus on Step Two: Spot the Signs, where we will talk about how to recognize symptoms early.​
Health equity starts with knowledge. Step by step, we build it together.
The CAFEH Model:
A Simple Way to Improve Health
Join the Health Revolution!
The CAFEH 2025 Initiative is your chance to stand up and take control. This is not just about diabetes; it’s about reshaping the way we think about health and wellness in our communities.
How You Can Be a Change-Maker:​
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Don't Just attend--commit! Be part of workshops and events, and start making an impact.
Get Involved
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Share your journey and inspire others to take their health seriously.
Engage in the Challenge
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Share our mission and empower others to join this fight for better health.
Spread the Word