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Kos Diabetes Group: November is National Diabetes Awareness Month [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2023-11-03

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), National Diabetes Month was established in 1975, though Congress and U.S. presidents didn’t start passing proclamations recognizing November as “diabetes month” until the early 1980s.

World Diabetes Day (WDD) was established by the International Diabetes Federation in 1991 to call attention to this worldwide epidemic and to raise awareness of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The date of Nov. 14 was chosen to honor Dr. Frederick Banting, co-discoverer of insulin back in 1921 along with Dr. Charles Best. WDD was not widely recognized until 2006, when the International Diabetes Foundation successfully advocated for the United Nations to issue a resolution on it and it was officially recognized for the first time the next year.

If you’ve never been exposed to diabetes before it’s hard to understand how much it impacts a person’s life. However, diabetes is a chronic disease that greatly impacts the way a diabetic lives his/her life. They’ll need to constantly monitor their blood glucose levels and administer insulin when needed to avoid going into shock and facing serious long-term complications. Unfortunately, many people still don’t realize the severity of living with diabetes. You likely learned about it in school, but chances are that there was no in-depth coverage that gave you the proper understanding. Helping the world become more educated about diabetes is one of the goals of Diabetes Awareness Month.

The theme this year is “Take Charge of Tomorrow: Preventing Diabetes Health Problems”.

Blue is the official color of Diabetes Awareness Month. The blue hue is meant to evoke the color of the sky, and the circle embodies unity. In fact, the Blue Circle is officially known as the “Unite for Diabetes” symbol. It’s hoped that the Blue Circle will become as recognizable as the pink ribbon for breast cancer, the red ribbon for AIDS, or the yellow ribbon for bring-home-the-troops.

The Importance of Pre-Diabetes Testing and Care

Pre-diabetes testing is crucial because it enables people to take early action to stop or delay the formation of Type 2 diabetes. In the United States, more than 96 million people have prediabetes, and the majority of them are not aware of the fact they are developing a significant chronic illness. According to research, people are more likely to adopt the essential long-term lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier, controlling their weight, and being active, after they are made aware of their disease. These adjustments can help prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes. That is why National Diabetes Awareness Month is essential in motivating people to seek pre-diabetes screenings and take preventative measures to maintain their health.

How to celebrate Diabetes Awareness Month

Share on Social Media

One of the best ways to get involved with Diabetes Awareness Month is to spread the word about diabetes and show your support. By participating in activities to raise awareness, you’ll increase educational inquiries and help to banish common myths about living with diabetes.

If you or someone you love is currently living with diabetes, social media gives you an unbeatable opportunity to connect with others affected by diabetes and create new relationships. Being a part of a supportive community can have huge benefits like decreasing diabetes distress and improving your overall quality of life. When you’re involved in a supportive community, you can gain access to new diabetes-friendly recipes and might even find a local group to join. Use the hashtags

#DiabetesAwareness.

#KnowYourNumbers.

#PreventDiabetes.

#DiabetesManagement.

#Type1Diabetes.

#Type2Diabetes.

#DiabetesSupport.

when you post about diabetes on social media.

Participate in a Diabetes Fundraiser

If you really want to get involved in Diabetes Awareness Month, find a local American Diabetes Association chapter or a JDRF chapter and join an organized walk or other fundraising event. You can start a team with your friends, family, or coworkers.

Show Your Support

The easiest way for you to get involved in Diabetes Awareness Month is to show your support by wearing blue. The color blue is universally known to be associated with diabetes. You can find or make shirts that showcase the Diabetes Awareness logo. You can ask your employer about having the staff wear blue on Fridays as a sign of unity for any of your coworkers living with diabetes.

If you have a friend or family member living with diabetes, show your support by listening to what they have to say. Ask them how they feel and how they’re doing. Sometimes people really need support but are too afraid to reach out and ask for it.

I’m wearing blue today. Are you?

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