Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of health education on the self-management of patients with diabetes in a certain community. Methods From December,2011 to February,2015,120 patients with type 2 diabetes in our hospital were selected and randomly divided into the treatment group and control group with 60 cases in each group. The conventional health education was carried out in the control group,while DM peer support group was performed in the treatment group. The intervention period was three months. Results After the intervention,the indices of insulin resistance in the two groups were significantly reduced,and the indices of insulin secretion were significantly increased,the difference as compared the indices before the intervention was significant(P < 0. 05),but there was no statistically significant differences between the two groups(P > 0. 05). The fasting plasma glucose and postprandial 2 h blood glucose levels in both groups were significantly decreased after the intervention(P < 0. 05),and more significantly in the treatment group(P <0. 05). The four self-management skills scores in both groups were significantly improved after the intervention(P <0. 05),and more significantly in the treatment group as compared with the control group(P < 0. 05). After the intervention,the patients satisfaction in the treatment group and control group were 98. 3% and 85. 0%,respectively,the difference was statistical significant(P < 0. 05). Conclusion The insulin therapy for diabetes can effectively improve the indices of insulin resistance and insulin secretion. The peer support groups involved in the health education can improve the self-management skills and blood sugar levels of patients,thereby increase patient satisfaction degrees.