Diabetes Awareness Day, March 26, is a one-day “wake-up call” that focuses on the importance of understanding the seriousness and risks of diabetes.
The Minnesota Department of Health is encouraging Minnesotans to take one minute to answer seven questions to learn about their risk for prediabetes.It’s easy to understand where you stand when you visit DoIHavePrediabetes.org (PodriaTenerPrediabetes.org (in Spanish).
“Taking a little time to answer these questions may be the best thing you can do for your health year-round,” says Teresa Ambrose, MDH diabetes program manager and researcher. “With the right steps, you can reverse prediabetes before it develops type 2 diabetes. The first step is to find out if you are at risk and, if necessary, contact your health care provider. to learn about treatment options.”
prediabetes This means that a person’s blood sugar levels are higher than normal and they are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. More than 1 in 3 adults (approximately 98 million Americans) have prediabetes, and 3 in 4 Minnesotans with prediabetes do not know they have diabetes. yeah.
Diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects how your body breaks down sugar. Over time, it can lead to other chronic diseases and complications such as chronic kidney disease, vision loss, and nerve damage.
Diabetes can be difficult, but there are support systems and resources to help people manage the disease. Type 2 diabetes is preventable. You can reduce your risk by focusing on lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity, cutting back on unhealthy foods and sugary drinks, and losing weight.
If you are eligible, support is available at: diabetes prevention program.
At a community level, raising awareness about diabetes risks is a key element. Minnesota’s Action Plan to Address Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, and Diabetes by 2035 (MN 2035 Plan). The plan provides detailed strategies and example actions for communities, health care providers, community and organizational leaders, and people to save lives, reduce health disparities, and improve health and well-being.
Visit the following links to learn more about the innovative ways Minnesotans are helping reduce heart disease, stroke and diabetes in their communities. Minnesota 2035 Plan YouTube Playlist. For example, the Whitney Senior Center, an organization that supports the health of people 55 and older in the greater St. Cloud area, is recognized as a provider of the National Diabetes Prevention Program. The senior center is a partnership with the African Immigrant and Refugee Center (Cairo), a St. Cloud nonprofit that advocates for equitable social, health, and economic opportunities for African refugee and immigrant children, youth, and families. We have achieved success through collaboration.For more information please see this Whitney Senior Center + Cairo Video.