March 28, 2024

November is American Diabetes Month

One of the American Diabetes Association's primary objectives is to raise awareness and understanding of diabetes, its consequences, management and prevention of type 2 diabetes. American Diabetes Month is an important element in this effort, with programs designed to focus the nation's attention on the issues surrounding diabetes and the people impacted by the disease. In 2012, the Association launched a socially focused initiative for American Diabetes Month called A Day in the Life of Diabetes, to demonstrate the impact diabetes has on our families and communities across the country. In 2013, the American Diabetes Association will continue to grow the campaign with a host of online and offline program elements. The movement to Stop Diabetes® is not over and we will continue to call for individuals to take a public stand via the Association's social media channels and other online properties, to support the movement. Using imagery, the power of social engagement and celebrity outreach, the Association will continue to shine a light on the issue of diabetes and those who live with it each and every day.

Theme: A Day in the Life of Diabetes

Diabetes doesn't stop. It is 24/7, 365 days a year. To showcase the extraordinary effort it takes to live a day with the disease, the American Diabetes Association will continue to ask people to submit a personal image to its Facebook mosaic representing what A Day in the Life of Diabetes means to them. The image can be a picture of themselves or someone they care about, or otherwise represent how the disease impacts their lives. The image will then make up a larger mosaic image that will embody the message of A Day in the Life of Diabetes.

In addition, the American Diabetes Association will be working closely with NASCAR driver, Ryan Reed, to showcase the mosaic in the NASCAR series. Ryan’s race car will be wrapped with photos from the mosaic and will be featured in his Nov. 9 race in Phoenix during American Diabetes Month. Learn how you can submit your personal image and story during American Diabetes Month by visiting us at facebook.com/AmericanDiabetesAssociation or diabetesmosaic.org, or by calling 1-800-DIABETES.

The Association will also engage their social media audience by highlighting submitted images via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and a blog, Diabetes Stops Here. They will pose thought-provoking questions plus success stories and messages from network of followers, fans and celebrities.

The American Diabetes Association is behind the largest national movement to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences. Read their blog (www.diabetesstopshere.org) and follow us on Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Pinterest (@AmDiabetesAssn) to receive updates all month long.

The Facts: Prevalence

Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.

Another 79 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Recent estimates project that as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take steps to Stop Diabetes.

The Toll on Health

Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure.

Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults.

The rate of amputation for people with diabetes is 10 times higher than for people without diabetes.

About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nerve damage that could result in pain in the feet or hands, slowed digestion, and sexual dysfunction and other nerve problems.

In honor of Diabetes Month, Skiff Medical Center is hosting Chad Klein, O.D., from the Eye Care Center of Newton for a presentation on Diabetic Eye Care on Wednesday, November 13 from 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Please call 787-3070 to register.