In recognition of World Diabetes Day today, the Kentucky Department Public Health (DPH) within the Cabinet for Health and Families Services (CHFS) is bringing attention to diabetes and its impact on hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians.
Diabetes is a common, lifelong medical condition where the body does not make or properly use insulin. One in 8 – or 13.1 percent – of Kentucky adults are estimated to have been diagnosed with diabetes. The DPH Diabetes Prevention and Control Program has adopted the National Diabetes Education Program’s theme for the observance: “You are the Center of Your Diabetes Care Team.”
“If not managed properly, diabetes can lead to health complications, soaring healthcare costs, reduced quality of life and premature death,” said CHFS Secretary Vickie Yeats Brown Glisson.
“With the right tools, diabetes can be managed and these negative outcomes avoided. We hope everyone will take some time on World Diabetes Day to learn more about the disease – especially the individual’s role in diabetes management.”
DPH encourages Kentuckians who are battling the disease to seek support from a team of professionals such as a doctor or nurse practitioner; diabetes educator, dietitian, nurse, pharmacist, eye doctor, foot doctor and mental health counselor to manage the disease.
“A diabetes educator can help people learn how to manage their disease as a part of daily life,” said Dr. Connie White, senior deputy commissioner for DPH. “These education sessions may include information on how to plan meals and make healthy food choices, staying active, taking medications, monitoring blood sugar, problem solving for high and low blood glucose, how to prevent long-term complications and healthy coping skills.”
In addition, participating in a Diabetes Self-management Education and Support course can help individuals learn skills to better manage diabetes.
Diabetes self-management services are located across the state, including 15 branches of DPH’s Healthy Living with Diabetes nationally accredited program in local or district health departments.
For more information on the role of the diabetes care team, please visit the Kentucky Department for Public Health or the Kentucky Diabetes Network websites.
November is observed as National Diabetes Awareness Month in the U.S. For more information about these observances, the impact of diabetes, and how to educate the public and raise awareness, visit The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney and Diseases, a part of the U.S. Health and Human Services Cabinet.
