Every November brings the National Diabetes Awareness Month. This is the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and other major education and advocacy groups, such as the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, mark to bring awareness to the people regarding the disease.
Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. ADA's 2016 campaign slogan is This Is Diabetes. According to the officials of ADA, this will provide opportunities to share real-life stories of living with diabetes, as well as the efforts of caregivers and loved ones, “to raise awareness and to create a sense of urgency about this growing public health crisis.”
According to AJMC, persons living with the disease are encouraged to share stories on their social media account and with the term #ThisIsDiabetes throughout the month of November. ADA posted a fact sheet that lists basic facts: 1 in 11 Americans has diabetes, and 86 million have prediabetes, a condition that puts them at risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90% to 95% of all cases.
“Diabetes is a costly and serious disease, often with severe health consequences,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, Board of Supervisors LA interim health officer. “Diabetes increases risks of heart disease and stroke and can also lead to kidney disease and blindness.”
According to the reliable source of ADA, diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death in the United States in 2013 and may be underreported. The released update finds that while new cases are starting to level off, the number of people with diabetes in the United States remains high and cases are concentrated in states that also have high rates of poverty and obesity.
Diabetes is the leading cause of some of the most expensive and debilitating health conditions, this includes kidney failure, lower limb amputations, and adult-onset blindness. Since November is the National Diabetes Month, let us expect that with the help of the groups and associations, people will be informed and warned regarding the risk of the disease.
