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Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 26 million
children and adults in the United States, and a quarter of them do
not even know they have it. An additional 79 million, or 1 in 3
American adults, have pre-diabetes, which puts them at high risk for
developing Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset or
non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Early diagnosis is critical to
successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its
complications, such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease,
stroke, amputation and death. Diabetes is the seventh-leading
cause of death in the United States. In Illinois, more than 827,000
adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, and the disease was also
the seventh-leading cause of death in 2008.
People who are overweight, living a sedentary, inactive lifestyle
and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the
disease. African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian
Americans, Pacific Islanders and people with a family history of the
disease also are at increased risk for Type 2 diabetes.
"Early diagnosis and education are critical for effective
management of Type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Arthur Kohrman, acting
director of the state's Department of Public Health. "We encourage
all Illinoisans, and particularly those who fall into high-risk
categories for developing Type 2 diabetes, to participate in 'Alert
Day' and take the Diabetes Risk Test. Everyone should know their
risk."
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Studies have shown that Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or
delayed by losing just 7 percent of body weight, such as 15 pounds
if you weigh 200, through regular physical activity -- 30 minutes a
day, five days a week -- and healthy eating. By understanding your
risk, you can take the necessary steps to help prevent the onset of
Type 2 diabetes.
Take the Diabetes Risk Test by visiting the American Diabetes
Association's
Facebook page, or call 1-800-DIABETES.
Also, visit the IDPH Diabetes Prevention and Control Program at
http://www.idph.state.il.us/diabetes/index.htm, or call
217-782-4977 for more information.
[Text from
Illinois Department of Public Health
file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
