By: J. Chevont’e Alexander
WAKE UP!
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of heart disease and stroke.
WAKE UP!
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, nontraumatic lower-limb amputations and new cases of blindness among adults in the United States.
WAKE UP!
Diabetes affects 25.8 million people, 8.3 percent of the United States population; 18.8 million people are actually diagnosed.
WAKE UP!
In 2010, about 215,000 people younger than 20 years old had diabetes (type 1 or type 2).
WAKE UP!
The prevalence rate is 8.7% in VA, roughly 531,366 individuals with 13.5% of those individuals being African Americans.
American Diabetes Association (ADA) Alert Day ® is encouraging the young or old, and everyone in the United States to wake up! The ADA Alert Day is a one-day “wake up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Held on the fourth Tuesday of every March, the next WAKE UP! day this year is Tuesday, March 25, 2014, and the campaign will continue through April 25.
“Knowledge is key when it comes to preventing and controlling diabetes,” says Abbey Johnson, Chronic Disease Program Representative for the Richmond City Health District. “African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes. Nationwide, African Americans are almost two times more likely to develop diabetes than their white counterparts.
African Americans can raise awareness about diabetes in their community by encouraging friends, family and loved ones to take the Diabetes Risk Test. Alert Day can also empower individuals to take control of their health by practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors.
American Diabetes Association Alert Day
In 2013, on Alert Day, the ADA had over 39,000 people take the risk test and during the month of March, they had over 148,000 with 37 percent of them being at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Check out the 2013 American Diabetes Association Alert Day video.
In 2014, the ADA is celebrating 26 years of recognizing this awareness day, and their tag line this year is “Take It. Share It. Step Out.” They want to encourage the public to take the risk test, share it, and help them start living a healthy and active lifestyle.
Why is Alert Day so Important?
Diabetes is serious, and so serious that the disease strikes nearly 26 million children in the United States, and a quarter of them – seven million – do not even know they have it. An additional 79 million, or one in three American adults, have prediabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Unfortunately, diagnosis often comes seven to ten years after the onset of the disease, after disabling and even deadly complications have had time to develop. Early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or even preventing some of the complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.
The American Diabetes Association has made a strong commitment to primary prevention of type 2 diabetes by increasing awareness of prediabetes and actively engaging individuals in preventative behaviors like weight loss, physical activity and healthful eating. Alert Day is a singular moment in time in which we all can raise awareness and prompt action among the American people – particularly those at risk.
What is Type 1 and 2 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease.
Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, the bodies of people with type 2 diabetes make insulin. But either their pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin well enough. Where there is not enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose (sugar) cannot get into the body’s cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into the cells, the body’s cells are not able to function properly. Over time, the high glucose levels in the blood can damage the nerves and small blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys and heart eventually leading to a heart attack or stroke. Type 2 diabetes is far more common.
Lower Your Risk
Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight, living a sedentary lifestyle, and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the disease. African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and people who have a family history of the disease also are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed by losing 7 percent of body weight through regular physical activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week) and healthy eating.
Those with prediabetes have blood glucose (sugar) higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
By understanding your risk, you can take the necessary steps to help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. In addition to the risk factors above, individuals can speak with their health care provider to determine their risk for diabetes.
There are no clear symptoms of prediabetes, so, you may have it and not know it. If you have prediabetes, you should be checked for type 2 diabetes every one to two years. You will not develop type 2 diabetes automatically if you have prediabetes. For some people, early treatment can actually return blood glucose levels to the normal range.
Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test
The Diabetes Risk Test asks users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risks for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Individuals can visit www.diabetes.org and take the Diabetes Risk Test.
Don’t forget to “Take It. Share It. Step Out.” starting on Alert Day, March 25!
“Alert Day encourages all of us as a community to pause and use 60 seconds to take control of our health. Many of us may know a family member, friend or loved one who may be at risk for diabetes. The Diabetes Risk Test is a quick, easy way for individuals to determine their risk for diabetes without a visit to the doctor’s office. Alert Day also highlights simple steps we can all take, such as exercising and eating healthy to prevent diabetes.” comments Johnson.
