The American Diabetes Association recognizes November as American Diabetes Month in order to bring awareness of the rapid growth of diabetes in our country. With 200 lives lost every day to the disease, they want to bring attention to the causes, treatments, and prevention.
Statistics show that type 2 diabetes is escalating at a rampant rate. Type 2 diabetes is accountable for 90 percent of all diabetes in the country. It is believed that it is preventable, or at least can be delayed, with proper nutrition and exercise. This fact is what brought forth the proclamation in 2011 by President Obama in November 2011 proclaiming November National Diabetes Month, which allowed more government grants and funding for research. This also brought the initiative by the first lady to start the “Let’s Move†campaign. This is due to the childhood obesity issues, and the lack of a healthy diet that can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is different in that its causes are not known, but thought to be from genetics or perhaps contact with certain diseases. Type 1 diabetes can be controlled with a proper diet, exercise, and insulin to replace what the body does not produce. The insulin that is naturally made in the body is killed by its own immune system.
To understand the need for a month of recognition to bring awareness and funding for diabetes, you should know the facts.
• Approximately 26 million people in the nation have diabetes.
• At risk of developing type 2 diabetes, or already experiencing pre-diabetes, is another 79 million people, mostly children.
• The national cost to the nation due to diabetes is estimated at $174 billion per year.
• A frightening 7 million people have diabetes and have not been diagnosed.
• Approximately 1 in 400 young people under the age of 20 have diabetes.
As there is no cure yet for diabetes, prevention is key. Maintain a healthy weight by eating well and exercising. Those who carry excess fat, especially in their belly, are at higher risk. Your diet needs to be low in sugar and fat, especially in children to lower risk of type 2 diabetes, which may be preventable. See your doctor to have your blood glucose levels checked, especially if you are over the age of 45, and follow with checking it regularly.
We can all be involved in the movement to find a cure. Of course, donations are always welcome to help fund research, but you can also get involved in your community by participating in a walk, run, or other community activities.
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