Have you heard that November is Diabetes Month?
The first week of November was National Diabetes Education Week, but this whole month is a time to spotlight the seriousness of diabetes and raise awareness of ways it can be controlled. It's important for people to be aware of the symptoms and risk factors for diabetes and to make sure that people who have been diagnosed with diabetes are getting the education and care they need.
This year, the American Diabetes Association is launching a movement called Stop Diabetes. The facts are:
- 24 million Americans are living with Diabetes
- 57 million have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes
- One out of 3 children born in the US are expected to have type 2 diabetes if current trends continue
Starting now, the American Diabetes Association is asking everyone to sign a pledge to help stop diabetes. You can help spread the movement of Stop Diabetes by doing the following:
Sharing. Visit www.stopdiabetes.com and join the Facebook page and Twitter to share the Stop Diabetes movement with your friends. There are also opportunities to share your story with diabetes on the website.
Acting. You may attend a local event or advocate for people with diabetes to legislators. You can also take the risk test for diabetes and share it with your family and friends.
Learning. There are many great resources online to learn about diabetes like www.diabetes.org and www.ndep.nih.gov. AADE has also created a series of educational handouts based on the AADE7TM Self-Care Behaviors. If you or someone close to you has diabetes, I would highly encourage you to take a local diabetes education class. Go to the AADE website to find a diabetes educator near you.
Giving. Help raise money for diabetes research and programs for the American Diabetes Association and other diabetes organizations.
Also, remember that November 14th is World Diabetes Day. Find a way this month to draw attention to diabetes in your community!
--Amy
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