National Diabetes Month

November 1 marked the beginning of National Diabetes Month. Diabetes impacts almost 21 million Americans; another 54 million Americans are at risk. The estimated population in this country is about 303,270,000+ people. So that means almost 7% of Americans have already been diagnosed and another 18% are at risk. Add caregivers and loved ones to those statistics, and you have a significant portion of our country affected by this disease.

My family, like many others, has been affected by diabetes. Mike has had Type 1 Diabetes for almost 30 years. Type I diabetes accounts for between 5% and 10% of all diagnosed cases. He is regimented in his care and leads a healthy, happy life. I try to be as actively involved with his treatment as possible. His brother also had Type 1 diabetes. My grandmother has Type 2 Diabetes. While Type 2 was traditionally a disease of older Americans, the at-risk population has become children. Being overweight or obese and leading a sedentary (i.e., nonactive) lifestyle are major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, as is having a family history of the disease.

From the White House:

National Diabetes Month, 2007
A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America

Diabetes is a debilitating disease that affects millions of Americans of all ages and all walks of life. National Diabetes Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about risk factors, prevention, and treatment of this serious disease.

Diabetes is a chronic illness that leaves the body unable to produce or properly use insulin to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. The two most common forms of the disease that affect our citizens are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes, is usually diagnosed in children and young adults who are unable to produce insulin and require daily medication. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, is often attributed to lifestyle risk factors and can be controlled by a modified diet, regular physical activity, and medication. Americans can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease by maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits, and consulting with a doctor about diabetes testing.

My Administration is committed to providing better care for people living with diabetes and furthering efforts to find a cure. We have supported research initiatives and education programs that encourage healthy living, and we have also modified Medicare coverage to include diabetes screenings. This year, the National Institutes of Health estimates that more than $1 billion will be spent on diabetes research. By working together, we can help identify problems early, manage them before they grow worse, and help ensure more Americans live longer, healthier lives.

Throughout National Diabetes Month, we recognize the medical professionals, scientists, researchers, and all those whose efforts have made a positive difference in the fight against diabetes. By raising public awareness, we can help combat the effects of diabetes in our society and bring hope to children and families living with this disease.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2007 as National Diabetes Month. I call upon all Americans to learn more about the risk factors and symptoms associated with diabetes and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

According to the American Diabetes Association, the month focuses on the different faces of diabetes:

Caregivers – Week 1
Supporting a loved one with diabetes can present its own unique challenges.

• If you or someone you care for has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you are no doubt experiencing a range of emotions. There are resources to help the newly diagnosed people.
• When your child is diagnosed with diabetes, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the information you're given. Find resources to get the information you need
  

Employees – Week 2
Promoting healthy lifestyles in the workplace can help to prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, saving companies thousands of dollars a year.

• With employees spending more than one-third of their day on the job, corporate America is in a unique position to bring even greater attention to this public health issue…and to be part of the solution.
• Show your support in the fight against diabetes at work. Find out more about I Decide to Fight Diabetes.
  

Diabetes around the world – Week 3
Worldwide over 246 million people have diabetes. By 2020, that number is expected to rise to 380 million. In December 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) passed a landmark Resolution recognizing diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease. The Resolution designates World Diabetes Day as a United Nations Day to be observed every year on November 14 starting in 2007. The ADA is a proud supporter of the UN Resolution.

Show your support and purchase unite for diabetes pins here.
Purchases are through the International Diabetes Federation and prices are in Euros.

At-risk populations – Week 4
One in two minorities born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime if current trends continue.

• Compared to the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes. For example, one in four African American women over 55 years of age has diabetes.
• Approximately 2.5 million Hispanic/Latino Americans over the age of 20 have diabetes and are at increased risk for serious complications such as kidney disease, blindness, and amputations.
• At 17%, American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes among all U.S. racial and ethnic groups.
• Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with diabetes are at high risk for heart disease.
  

Youth and Type 1 Diabetes – Week 5
Youth with type 1 diabetes have the most urgent need for care.

• One in 400 children has type 1 diabetes. Here is information they can use.
• Coming Soon – Explore! Discover! Connect! The New Planet D launches in November.
  

If you do not know about Diabetes, its causes, symptoms, and treatment, I encourage you to take a few minutes to learn about the disease. It may one day affect you or a loved one.