Objective To develop a self-management program for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients based on the concept of active health and verify its clinical application effect. Methods The initial draft of the self-management program for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients was constructed based on the concept of active health and evidence-based methods. The content was revised through two rounds of expert letter consultations, and the final version of the program was formed. Using convenience sampling method, 61 patients from January to June 2023 were selected as the control group, and 61 patients from July to December 2023 were selected as the intervention group. The control group received routine nursing care, while the intervention group was subject to the self-management program for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients under the concept of active health. Compare the blood sugar levels, diabetes self-management behaviors, and quality of life between the two groups of patients before and after the intervention. Results After the intervention, the levels of Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), Blood Glucose 2 Hours After Meal (2 h PG) in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group; the scores of the diet, exercise, blood glucose monitoring, monitoring frequency, and foot care of the Diabetes Self Care Activities (SDSCA) in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group; the scores of each dimension of the Revised version of Quality of Life Scalefor Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Rev. DMQLS) in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion The self-management program for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients based on the concept of active health emphasizes the active participation of patients and carries out interventions from multiple dimensions. It can improve patients′self-management ability, blood glucose control, and quality of life, bring new methods for diabetes nursing, as well as provide a practical basis for the application of the concept of active health in chronic disease management.