American Diabetes Association Alert Day

Diabetes is one of the most common non-communicable diseases globally, the fourth or fifth leading cause of death in developed countries, and is considered a "pandemic" in developing countries. The disease has a very rapid growth rate. According to an announcement by the International Diabetes Association (IDF): In 1994, there were 110 million people worldwide with diabetes; 1995: 135 million people, accounting for 4.0% of the global population; In 2000 there were 151 million people and in 2017 there were 425 million people (ages 20-79) living with diabetes. It is predicted that this number will increase to about 629 million people, or in other words 1 in 10 adults will have diabetes by 2045.

Especially in the past few decades, the number of people with diabetes in middle-income countries has increased markedly. Therefore, the American Diabetes Association's Alert Day was born, as a wake-up call to all, informing the American public about the seriousness of diabetes, and encouraging those who takes the diabetes risk test and learns about your family history of diabetes. Officially, the American Diabetes Association is celebrated annually on the fourth Tuesday of March.

The origin of the American Diabetes Association Alert Day

A part of American Diabetes Association awareness programs was known as the American Diabetes Association Alert Day in 1986. It was part of their growing diabetes prevention and education efforts in the United States since then.

The American Diabetes Association also publishes a wealth of materials on diagnosis and treatment and diabetes knowledge to raise awareness among citizens.

Facts about diabetes:

Diabetes affects about 34.2 million Americans. That's about 10.5% of the US population.

Among people living with diabetes, 7.3 million - 1 in 7 adults - are not aware they have the disease.

The risk of developing diabetes increases with age. But there are other factors as well. Ethnic background may increase your risk.

An additional, each year, in the US recorded 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes. Although type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, it can be well controlled with insulin injections. Managing type 1 diabetes may also require regular blood sugar monitoring, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Education is key to learning how to manage the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. However, type 2 is much more preventable and some action can be taken.

Ways to prevent type 2 diabetes:

Eliminate sugar and starch

Exercise regularly and avoid a sedentary lifestyle

Make water the main drink

Maintain a healthy weight

Stop smoking

Eat a high fiber diet

Optimizing Vitamin D Levels

Take natural herbs, such as curcumin and berberine, which help increase insulin sensitivity

Type 2 diabetes is not preventable for everyone. However, making healthy choices offers the best chance of not getting this disease. In the United States, if the above lifestyle changes are implemented, 9 out of 10 cases will develop diabetes. Families, schools, workplaces, communities and healthcare providers all can work together to make healthy choices easy.

This compliance encourages you to find out if you or your loved ones are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Consider taking this quick and easy Diabetes Risk Test.

How to Observe American Diabetes Association Alert Day

On the American Diabetes Association's Alert day, you are encouraged to learn about your risk factors for this dangerous disease. Talk to your doctor to get the right understanding of your kidney’s condition and get your blood sugar tested. The American Diabetes Association has also provided a downloadable nutrition coloring page that you can print out to use at home when teaching your child about diabetes or nutrition in general.

Use #AmericanDiabetesAssosystemAlertDay to post on social media to share news about the opportunities all have to check in and manage their health risks.