By National Diabetes

Education Program

What is National Diabetes Month?

National Diabetes Month is observed every November when individuals, organizations, and communities across the country shine a spotlight on diabetes. Throughout National Diabetes Month, the NDEP and its partners will work to highlight the crucial link between diabetes and heart disease with the theme Be Smart About Your Heart: Control the ABC’s of Diabetes.

Why is the link between diabetes and heart disease important?

• More than 29 million people, or about nine percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes.

• 86 million Americans aged 20 years or older have prediabetes, a condition that increases their chances of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

• More than eight million people or nearly 28 percent of people with diabetes, don’t know they have it. If left undiagnosed or untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and even death. With early diagnosis and treatment, people with diabetes may prevent the development of these health problems.

• Heart disease death rates are nearly two times higher among adults aged 18 years or older with diagnosed diabetes than among adult without diagnosed diabetes.

• Hospitalization rates for heart attack are also nearly two times higher among adults aged 20 years or older with diagnosed diabetes than among adults without diagnosed diabetes.

• Hospitalization rates for stroke are about one and a half times higher among adults with diabetes aged 20 years or older compared with those without diagnosed diabetes.

November 14th is World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day takes place on November 14th every year is an official United Nations World Day. The date was chosen because it marks the birthday of Frederick Banting, who, along with Charles Best, is credited with the discovery of insulin. In 2014, World Diabetes Day will address the topic of healthy eating and its importance with both the prevention of type 2 diabetes and diabetes management. Please visit the International Diabetes Federation (www.idf.org) for more information.

Local Source of Information and Education

Learn more about diabetes by visiting www.lcdhd.org/diabetes/ to see when the next diabetes education class is offered in your county at the local health department. You may also call 1-800-928-4416 and ask to speak to the diabetes educator. Become a friend of LCDHD on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LCDHD or follow us at www.twitter.com/LCDHD.