November is Diabetes Awareness Month: Take Action to Protect Your Health

Diabetes Awareness Month is here, and it’s a time for us all to take a closer look at how diabetes affects millions of lives—and how we can protect our health and the health of our loved ones. Diabetes doesn’t just impact blood sugar levels; it is a leading cause of serious complications like heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. The good news? Early screening and healthy lifestyle changes can significantly reduce these risks.

Why Screening for Diabetes Matters

Many people with diabetes or prediabetes don’t even know they have it. In fact, the CDC estimates that over 20% of adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed, while 80% of adults with prediabetes don’t know their risk. Detecting diabetes early can help prevent or delay complications, making it essential to take the time for regular screenings.

Who Should Get Screened?

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that you get screened for diabetes if you:

☐ Age: 45 or older

☐ Ethnicity: Black, Latinx, Native American, Asian, or Pacific Islanders are at higher risk.

☐ Family: You are at higher risk if you have a sibling or parent with diabetes.

☐ Medical history: If you’ve had prediabetes, gestational diabetes, gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 lbs, heart disease, or polycystic ovary syndrome, you are at higher risk.

☐ Poor Diet: Eating a diet high in refined sugar and saturated or trans fats can increase risk.

☐ Not Physically Active: Sitting all day can increase insulin resistance and increase glucose levels.

☐ High Blood Pressure: If you have had a blood pressure above 130 for the top number or above 80 for the bottom number.

☐ Have Low HDL “Good” Cholesterol: HDL cholesterol level under 40 mg/dL.

☐ Have High Triglycerides: Triglyceride level over 150 mg/dL

☐ Are Overweight or Obese: BMI of 30 or higher.

If you have one or more of these risk factors, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about getting screened.

How to Get Screened for Diabetes

Screening for diabetes is easier than you might think. Here are some steps to get started:

1. Talk to Your Healthcare Provider: Your doctor can order a blood test, such as an A1C test, which shows your average blood glucose over the past 3 months, or a fasting glucose test.

2. Visit a Community Screening Event: During Diabetes Awareness Month, many clinics and pharmacies offer free or low-cost diabetes screenings. Check your local listings or visit the ADA website for events near you.

Taking the Next Steps

If your test shows prediabetes or diabetes, you’re not alone. Lifestyle changes, such as diet, regular physical activity, and stress management, can make a big difference in managing or even reversing prediabetes. And if you’re diagnosed with diabetes, early treatment and education are crucial to living a healthy, fulfilling life. We are here to help you with our online program, individual appointments, Diabetes Self-Management guide, or our Diabetes Village Support Group and Community. Please Contact us if you have questions or would like to discuss what steps are right for you!

How to Support Diabetes Awareness

You can also support Diabetes Awareness Month by:

• Sharing this article to spread the word.

• Encouraging friends and family to get screened.

• Donating to diabetes research organizations like the American Diabetes Association or the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists.

• Volunteering with local diabetes support groups or events.

Taking action this November could be the first step toward a healthier life. Remember, early detection can make all the difference, and Diabetes Awareness Month is the perfect time to start. Don’t wait—take control of your health today!