November proclaimed as Diabetes Awareness Month

MDHHS promotes programs to help manage diabetes and prediabetes  

LANSING, Mich. – Diabetes is one of the fastest growing chronic diseases in Michigan, with at least 2 million residents living with diabetes or prediabetes. As part of Diabetes Awareness Month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is promoting programs designed to raise awareness and improve management of diabetes and prediabetes. 

“Diabetes is a leading cause of death in Michigan and can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and lower extremity amputations,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “The good news is that many of these outcomes can be prevented or delayed through early detection, routine screening and effective management. Know your risk, get screened and, if you are diagnosed, work with your health care team to keep your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under control so you can live a healthier, fuller life.”

Unmanaged diabetes puts people at risk for serious health complications, including cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney disease, retinopathy, nerve damage and amputations. An estimated 939,641 Michigan adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, and more than 1 million adults likely have prediabetes – and most don’t know it. To help raise awareness, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed November as Diabetes Awareness Month. 

Diabetes occurs when blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels rise too high. When you eat, your body breaks food down into glucose and sends it into the blood. It uses insulin to move the glucose from the blood and into your cells to use as fuel. With diabetes, the body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it as well as it should. The most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, which happens during pregnancy. 

 MDHHS promotes Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) for people with diabetes at any age. DSMES allows people to work with trained educators to help self-manage diabetes in a personalized way that addresses concerns, needs and priorities. Covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial health insurance plans, DSMES focuses on lifestyle changes, such as eating patterns and activity levels. Participating in the program has been shown to decrease hemoglobin A1c levels in the blood, which helps to prevent or delay diabetes complications and improve quality of life. For more information, ask a health care provider for a referral or contact the MDHHS Diabetes Prevention and Control Program for more information. MDHHS also offers a map of DSMES providers on its website.  

Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. It can be reversed with lifestyle changes such as eating well, being active and maintaining a healthy weight.  

MDHHS promotes the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) for adults with prediabetes, which has shown to cut the risk of diabetes by 58% overall and by 71% for those older than 60. The program walks participants through the changes needed to reduce diabetes risk. Individuals who are unsure if they have prediabetes can take a one-minute risk test. A referral is not needed to participate in DPP, and providers can enroll participants in-person, virtually or online. The program is covered at no cost by Medicaid, Medicare, some commercial health insurance plans and other community programs.  

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/Diabetes.  

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