Amy Kennedy, Director, American Diabetes Association San Diego 

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and the American Diabetes Association needs your help to “bend the curve” on diabetes by working together to change outcomes.

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that nearly 1 in 3 Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Nearly 84 million adults in the United States have pre-diabetes and 90% of them do not know it.

The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of all those affected by the disease. Diabetes is the condition in which the body does not properly process food for use as energy resulting in high sugar in the blood. Having diabetes increases the risk for serious health problems including heart attack, stroke, blindness or kidney failure.

Organizations and individuals can help by:

• Taking Action:

Find out your risk for diabetes and take control of your health by taking the Diabetes Risk Test. If you are at-risk, follow up with your doctor to take steps to live well with diabetes.

• Increasing Awareness:

Help at-risk populations understand the disease and take charge of their health. Resources are available.

• Increasing the Number of Screenings:  

Whether you take action for yourself or for a loved one, share the Diabetes Risk Test with others, especially with those that might be at-risk.

What is the Diabetes Risk Test? It is a simple, 7 question test that takes one minute to complete. A high/low scale indicates your risk for Type 2 diabetes and provides next steps and how-to’s for managing your risk.

You should consider taking the risk test if you:

• Are 45 years or older
• Are an overweight adult of any age
• Have a parent or sibling with Type 2 diabetes
• Are physically inactive
• Have ever had diabetes while pregnant
• Have high blood pressure or a history of cardiovascular disease

Together, we can increase awareness of diabetes and an individual’s risk for developing the disease. For more information or to get involved, please contact Amy Kennedy, American Diabetes Association San Diego Director at 619-234-9897 or akennedy@diabetes.org