National Diabetes Awareness Month        

by: Johanna Hicks
Hopkins County Agri-Science Agent

I love this time of year.  The cool weather seems to energize me, and the changing leaves remind me how fortunate I am to live in a county with lots of trees!  These changes also remind me that National Diabetes Awareness Month is upon us.      

According to the Texas Diabetes Council, 1.7 million persons aged eighteen years and older in Texas (9.7% of this age group) have been diagnosed with diabetes.  Nationwide, 19.8 million persons eighteen years and older have been diagnosed with diabetes.  Another estimated 425,157 individuals in this age range are believed to have undiagnosed diabetes.      

The national cost of diabetes in the U.S. in 2007 exceeded $174 billion.  This estimate includes $116 billion in medical expenditures attributed to diabetes, as well as $58 billion in reduced productivity.  On average, people with diagnosed diabetes have medical expenditures that are approximately 2.3 times higher than the expenditures would be in the absence of diabetes.       

Approximately $1 in $10 health care dollars is attributed to diabetes.  Indirect costs include increased absenteeism and reduced productivity.  The cost of diabetes in Texas was $12,460,000,000 according to 2006 figures.       

So, what does all this tell us?  We have some work to do!  There are four keys to controlling diabetes for those who have been diagnosed:  1) wise food choices, including portion control;  2) physical activity (30 minutes most days of the week);  3) taking prescribed medications; and 4) blood glucose monitoring.       

Texas AgriLife Extension offers "Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes", a low-cost class series covering nine self-care and nutrition topics delivered in five sessions.  Class materials include a curriculum consistent with the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care, along with power points, handouts, and evaluation.  Local health professionals assist in presenting the classes.  The primary goal of the program is to improve blood glucose management.      

The next class is scheduled for March, but if you need assistance with your diabetes management now, contact your physician, dietitian, or come by my office, and I'll provide some useful handouts and other information.      

In the meantime, if you have not been diagnosed with diabetes but have the following symptoms, you need to seek medical attention: excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and weakness, blurred vision, tingling or less feeling in your feet, sores that take a long time to heal, dry, itchy skin.      

The good news is that you can still live a healthy life.  With good information and a few good changes, you can take control of diabetes and live the kid of life you want to live.  You can do well and be well with diabetes!  

Extension Christmas Program      Just a final reminder about the 36th annual Extension Christmas Joys program - "Holidays from the Heart", scheduled for Monday, November 9 at the Southwest Dairy Center.  The program will be presented two times to accommodate schedules - 1:30 p.m., and repeated at 5:30 p.m.  Cost is $2, payable at the door.  Attendees will receive a goody bag, booklet of all the ideas and recipes presented, refreshments, and a chance to win one of several door prizes.  Call my office if you need more information - 903-885-3443.  

Closing Thought Emotion has taught mankind to reason.  

Johanna Hicks
Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Hopkins County
Extension Agent - Family & Consumer Sciences
1200 Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 Phone: 903-885-3443
Fax: 903-439-4909
e-mail: jshicks@ag.tamu.edu