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| November 1 | |
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Diabetes and Prevention |
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November is diabetes awareness month. And if you’re one of the nearly sixteen million Americans with diabetes, a new report shows that awareness is key to preventing long-term problems. People with diabetes can reduce their risk of complications by taking some very specific steps…but a new study from the Centers for Disease Control shows that most diabetics aren’t getting the preventive care they need. Researchers asked diabetic adults in 40 states about four health related practices—an annual eye exam, an annual foot exam, self-monitoring of blood sugar, and periodic monitoring of hemoglobin A1C, a blood test which shows how blood sugar has been controlled over the past three months. They found that the levels of preventive practices were 15 to 20 percent lower than federal goals set in the Healthy People 2010 program. The people most likely to receive the services had at least a high school education and health insurance. If you have diabetes, make sure you receive these exams and tests on a regular basis. Prevention can make a huge difference in your health and in your quality of life. |
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Can you tell us what some of these tests are for? Diabetes can lead to blindness and reduced nerve sensation, especially in the feet—that’s why the eye and foot exams are so important. The key to reducing complications is controlling blood sugar, so it’s important to monitor the levels. | |
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Resources and References:
Levels of Diabetes – Related Preventive-Care Practices – United States, 1997-1999
American Diabetes Association |
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