During National Diabetes Month, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan encourages people to prevent type 2 diabetes, the leading cause of kidney failure
1 in 3 people have prediabetes; many are unaware of their condition
FLINT, MICH. – (October 31, 2018) – During National Diabetes Month this November, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) joins the International Diabetes Federation to raise awareness of diabetes throughout the month and specifically on World Diabetes Day – Nov. 14. During the month, the NKFM will focus on promoting the importance of screening to diagnose prediabetes and early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, and management to reduce the risk of serious complications, such as chronic kidney disease.
It’s important for people to pay attention to prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as diabetes. In Michigan, over 2.6 million adults have prediabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, without lifestyle changes, 15-30 percent of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years.
By eating healthier, losing weight, and getting more physical activity, you can help prevent prediabetes from becoming type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes Prevention Center, a division of the NKFM, offers the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in many Michigan communities. In DPP workshops, participants learn how to eat healthy, add physical activity to their routine, manage stress, stay motivated and solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes. The program’s group setting provides a supportive environment filled with people who are facing similar challenges and are trying to make the same changes. Together, participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles. For more information on DPP, visit ReadySetPrevent.org or call the Diabetes Prevention Center at 810-232-0522.
Diabetes is a huge and growing burden. In the state of Michigan, it is estimated that 10.4 percent of the population—799,350 adults—have been diagnosed with diabetes. Many people live with type 2 diabetes for a long period of time without being aware of their condition. By the time of diagnosis, diabetes complications may already be present, including heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure.
“Diabetes causes more than 40 percent of all kidney failure cases,” says NKFM President and CEO Linda Smith-Wheelock. “By focusing on prevention and diabetes management, we are working toward helping people prevent kidney disease altogether.”
Diabetes complications can be prevented or delayed by maintaining blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels as close to normal as possible. Managing diabetes includes:
- Following a healthy eating plan, including eating more fruits and vegetables and less sugar and salt.
- Getting physically active—10 to 20 minutes a day is better than only an hour once a week.
- Taking diabetes medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
- Testing your blood sugar regularly to understand and track how food, activity and medicine affect your blood sugar levels.
People need to be screened by a doctor to find out if they have prediabetes or diabetes. If you do not have a doctor because you do not have health care coverage, you can enroll or re-enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace, including finding out if you qualify for Medicaid, during the upcoming Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment starts Thursday, November 1, 2018 and runs through Saturday, December 15, 2018. To enroll or for more information, visit healthcare.gov or call 800-318-2596.
For additional diabetes resources, community workshops and more, visit the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan at nkfm.org/DiabetesMonth or call 800-482-1455.
About NKFM
The mission of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan is to prevent kidney disease and improve the quality of life for those living with it. The NKFM is widely known for providing more programs and services to more people than any other region or state. The organization is recognized for its success in sound fiscal management by receiving a 4-star rating, for the last 11 years in a row, from Charity Navigator—the nation’s leading charity evaluator. nkfm.org
Joyce Williams
Communications Specialist
National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
1169 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
P: 734-222-9800, Ext. 216/ F: 734-222-9801
www.nkfm.org
