PCH part of worldwide effort to curb diabetes

Thursday, November 4, 2010
Mayor Sue Murray, center, signed a proclamation recently recognizing Nov. 14 as World Diabetes Day in Greencastle and Putnam County. Joining Murray for the signing were three Putnam County Hospital representatives, from left, Jamie Downen, RD CD; marketing director Jennifer Bedwell; and Annette Handy, RN CDE. Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

If current trends continue, as many as one in three U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050 according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One in 10 U.S. adults has diabetes now.

The prevalence is expected to rise sharply over the next 40 years due to an aging population more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, increases in minority groups that are at high risk for type 2 diabetes and people with diabetes living longer.

"These are alarming numbers that show how critical it is to change the course of type 2 diabetes," said Ann Albright, PhD RD, director of CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation. "Successful programs to improve lifestyle choices on healthy eating and physical activity must be made more widely available because the stakes are too high and the personal toll too devastating to fail."

Unfortunately, the U.S. is not alone in this epidemic. In 2007, the United Nations designated Nov. 14 as an officially observed United Nations day. This UN resolution 61/225 calls on relevant local, national and international bodies to fight the diabetes epidemic through public awareness and the development of policies for the prevention, treatment and care of the disease.

Currently, it is estimated the 246 million people worldwide have diabetes. A further 308 million people have impaired glucose tolerance or what is sometimes referred to as pre-diabetes.

Of the global total with diabetes, it is estimated that nearly 81 million children and adults in the United States are affected by diabetes -- 24 million living with diabetes and an additional 57 million Americans at risk. Additionally, if current trends continue, one out of every three children born today will face a future with diabetes.

Putnam County Hospital sees access to diabetes care and education as a right for those living with diabetes. All people with diabetes -- or at high risk of diabetes -- should have the best quality of education and care that their community can provide.

PCH is committed to supporting our communities with diabetes self-management education services to help individuals develop positive strategies to prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes.

"Our team hopes to guide people to choosing habits that not only positively impact their health today but for the future," said Annette Handy, RN CDE.

Group classes are available through two separate sessions -- Diabetes 101 and Diabetes 201. The 101 class is led by registered nurse certified diabetes educator who sill discuss "What is diabetes?" along with strategies to manage and prevent the diabetes.

A registered clinical dietitian leads the 201 class discussing the role that nutrition plays in diabetes health and wellness.

"Being proactive is the best predictor for a healthy future," said dietician Jamie Downen, RD CD.

For information regarding class dates and reservations can be made by calling the PCH central scheduling team at 658-2760.

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  • When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 2 years ago I quickly learned that what I knew about the disease and what I needed to know were very different things.

    Jamie and Annette at PCH got me off on the right foot. I continue to learn as much as possible about diabetes. I am pleased to say that all of my A1C tests have been below 6 for these last 2 years. I am still healthy and beating this disease!

    -- Posted by VeggieMD on Thu, Nov 4, 2010, at 4:24 AM
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