Kane County Health Department promotes awareness of diabetes in November
National Diabetes Month is observed every November so individuals, health care professionals, organizations and communities across the country can bring attention to diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans.
This year's theme is promoting health after gestational diabetes.
More information about gestational diabetes can be found at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health Information Center at www.niddk.nih.gov.
About 50 percent of women with gestational diabetes go on to develop Type 2 diabetes. You should get tested for diabetes no later than 12 weeks after your baby is born. If your blood glucose is still high, you may have Type 2 diabetes. Even if your blood glucose is normal, you still have a greater chance of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future. Therefore, you should be tested for diabetes every 3 years.
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, were chosen by residents as one of the top health priorities for Kane County Health Department's Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). By setting these priorities, they hope to raise awareness and to create a sense of urgency about this growing public health crisis.
Diabetes also takes an economic toll. The American Diabetes Association released research in 2013 estimating the total costs of diagnosed diabetes have risen to $245 billion in 2012 from $174 billion in 2007, when the cost was last examined. This figure represents a 41-percent increase over a five-year period.
All these reasons are why the American Diabetes Association says there is a critical need to foster awareness and education while breaking down stereotypes, myths and misunderstandings about this growing public health crisis that affects so many.
You can take a simple quiz to find out your risk for diabetes by visiting doihaveprediabetes.org.
For more information about chronic disease, like diabetes, as one of Kane County's health priorities, visit www.kanehealthcounts.org.