Better Choices, Better Health® South Dakota (BCBH-SD) offers chronic disease self-management education workshops to help adults living with ongoing physical and/or mental health conditions. The workshops also help caregivers understand how healthier choices can improve quality of life, boost self-confidence, and inspire positive lifestyle changes. Millions of adults live with chronic health conditions. BCBH-SD workshops teach skills and tools to use that can help you manage symptoms, improve the quality of day-to-day living, and reduce healthcare costs.
Workshops are offered in six weekly sessions and are FREE to attend.
How to Participate
- Distance learning (reliable internet required)
- In-person in your local community
- Mailed Toolkit with Weekly Leader Calls
Languages available:
- English (all workshops): Call 1-888-484-3800 to register.
- Spanish (Chronic Disease Self-Management Program): Call 1-605-592-6845 to register.
Managing Chronic Conditions
- Building Better Caregivers workshops are designed for caregivers of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s, brain injury, and other conditions that affect memory, and those who can no longer live at home independently.
- Cancer: Thriving & Surviving (CTS) workshops are for adults living with a cancer diagnosis, whether newly diagnosed or in recovery or remission, and caregivers.
- Chronic conditions workshops are designed to help adults and caregivers manage their health and improve their quality of life.
- Chronic pain workshops are designed for adults living with everyday pain that impacts daily living and caregivers.
- Diabetes workshops are for adults living with pre-diabetes, type-2 diabetes, those with a family history of diabetes, and caregivers.
- Worksite chronic condition workshops are employer-supported and designed for employees to learn techniques to deal with chronic conditions. The worksite workshop is scheduled for two 60-minute sessions twice a week for six weeks.
- Los talleres de TOMANDO CONTROL de su SALUD están diseñados para ayudar a adultos y cuidadores a manejar su salud y mejorar su calidad de vida
"As a caregiver, I took the Better Choices, Better Health Workshop Cancer: Thriving and Surviving to better understand the cancer journey my loved one was going through. What I didn't realize was how much this program also impacted my personal health and wellbeing."
About BCBH
Chronic disease affects quality of life, has a huge economic impact, and increases the need for healthcare services. Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME), known in South Dakota as Better Choices, Better Health SD (BCBH-SD), is a community-led evidence-based program, developed at Stanford University and managed and licensed through the Self-Management Resource Center.
Offered as workshops, participants learn from a whole toolbox of skills that increase their confidence to carry out day-to-day activities. Participants and caregivers will gain confidence and meet others who deal with similar chronic conditions. Learn new ways to get through daily activities, make good decisions, manage physical and mental health wellness, and connect to new resources. For a more in-depth history of these programs, visit the Self Management Resource Center.
Upcoming Events
Living Your Best Life with Chronic Disease
SDSU Extension will host the "Living Your Best Life with Chronic Disease" webinar and gatherings on July 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. CDT/9:00 a.m. MT.
Cancer: Thriving & Surviving Virtual Workshop
SDSU Extension will host a six-week virtual workshop series on thriving and surviving cancer. The workshops will be held from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. CDT every Tuesday from August 12 to September 16, 2025.
Related Content
Cancer: Thriving & Surviving Virtual Workshop
SDSU Extension will host a six-week virtual workshop series on thriving and surviving cancer. The workshops will be held from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. CDT every Tuesday from August 12 to September 16, 2025.
SDSU Extension to host Chronic Disease Awareness Day gatherings
June 12, 2025
South Dakota State University Extension Better Choices Better Health – South Dakota will host an educational webinar and community gatherings at locations throughout the state on July 10, 2025, for Chronic Disease Awareness Day.
Living Your Best Life with Chronic Disease
SDSU Extension will host the "Living Your Best Life with Chronic Disease" webinar and gatherings on July 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. CDT/9:00 a.m. MT.