State health department encourages diabetes prevention, awareness
November
is American Diabetes Month
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[November 05, 2012]
CHICAGO -- November is American
Diabetes Month, and the Illinois Department of Public Health is
encouraging residents to make lifestyle changes like becoming
physically active and eating healthier to reduce the risk of being
diagnosed with the chronic but manageable disease. Quitting smoking
is also important because the leading cause of death among diabetics
is heart disease.
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"It is important that we continue to raise awareness in Illinois
that having a healthy, active lifestyle can significantly reduce the
risk of developing diabetes, and by making healthier choices, we can
reduce the health and economic burden of diabetes in Illinois," said
Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, director of the state health department.
Nearly 26 million Americans are living with diabetes, a disease that
can lead to serious complications like heart attack, stroke,
amputation, blindness and kidney failure if left untreated or
improperly managed. Another 79 million are at risk for developing
Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as "adult onset" diabetes.
Over the past 20 years in Illinois, the number of people
diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled, reaching
approximately 800,000 in 2011, with an additional 500,000 unaware
that they have the disease. Certain populations, such as
African-Americans, Latinos and Native Americans also have higher
rates and more complications from diabetes.
According to the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention:
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Every 17 seconds,
someone is diagnosed with diabetes.
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Diabetes kills
more people each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
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Recent estimates
project that as many as 1 in 3 American adults will have
diabetes in 2050 unless we take steps to stop diabetes.
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The national estimated cost of
diagnosed diabetes is $174 billion.
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The signs of diabetes are frequent thirst, constant urination,
unusual hunger, rapid weight loss, fatigue and blurred vision. Risk
factors for developing diabetes include obesity, family history of
diabetes and physical inactivity.
Key steps to reducing the risk of diabetes include eating
healthy, regular exercise, limiting alcohol consumption and quitting
smoking. The Illinois Tobacco Quitline can assist with a plan and
resources for quitting by calling 1-866-QUIT-YES (1-866-784-8937).
For more information, visit the Illinois Diabetes Prevention and
Control Program at
http://www.idph.state.il.us/diabetes/index.htm/
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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