HHS Highlights The Importance Of Prevention During Diabetes Awareness Month
This November during Diabetes Awareness Month, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) reminds North Dakotans about the importance of prevention, as well as access to treatment and support services for individuals living with diabetes.
There are about 183,000 North Dakotans* who have prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Individuals can take on online quiz to check their risk for prediabetes at Diabetes Prevention.
If a person screens as high risk, the most important thing to know is prediabetes can be reversed. Lifestyle changes such as losing and maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet and being more physically active can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 50%.
While there is no cure for diabetes, knowledge about diabetes and self-management skills can improve the experience of symptoms and overall quality of life for those living with diabetes. The North Dakota Community Clinical Collaboration offers online classes and information and is a great way to improve health and find the support needed to reach individual goals. Visit www.NDC3.org to learn more.
Self-management education and support services are available across North Dakota to provide people living with diabetes the practical skills and confidence needed to live long, healthy lives. These programs offer support to manage diabetes in a way that works for individual lifestyles, such as skills to manage blood sugar levels, eat well, be active and solve problems. Services are covered by most insurance providers.
Find a program by visiting the Diabetes Educator.
The HHS Diabetes Prevention and Control Program collaborates with partners across the state to increase awareness, screening, diagnosis and intervention of prediabetes. Additionally, the program works to improve the quality, continuity and access to care for North Dakotans already living with diabetes.
To learn more about the diabetes prevention and control program, visit hhs.nd.gov.
SOURCE: American Diabetes Association. Burdent of Diabetes in North Dakota. 2021.