news release
March 25, 2024

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Use Diabetes Alert Day to take action to become healthier

Diabetes Awareness Day, March 26, is a one-day “wake-up call” that focuses on the importance of understanding the seriousness and risks of diabetes.

The Minnesota Department of Health is encouraging Minnesotans to take one minute to answer seven questions to learn about their risk for prediabetes. You can easily find out where you stand by visiting DoIHavePrediabetes.org (Her PodriaTenerPrediabetes.org in Spanish).

“Taking a little time to answer these questions may be the best thing you can do for your health year-round,” says Teresa Ambrose, MDH diabetes program manager and researcher. “With the right steps, you can reverse prediabetes before it develops into type 2 diabetes. The first step is to find out if you are at risk and, if necessary, contact your health care provider. to learn about treatment options.”

Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, putting you at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. More than 1 in 3 adults (approximately 98 million Americans) have prediabetes, and 3 in 4 Minnesotans with prediabetes do not know they have diabetes. yeah.

Diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects how your body breaks down sugar. Over time, it can lead to other chronic diseases and complications such as chronic kidney disease, vision loss, and nerve damage.

Diabetes can be difficult, but there are support systems and resources to help people manage the disease. Type 2 diabetes is preventable. You can reduce your risk by focusing on lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity, cutting back on unhealthy foods and sugary drinks, and losing weight.

Those who qualify can receive assistance from the Diabetes Prevention Program.

At the community level, increasing awareness about diabetes risks is a key part of Minnesota’s Action Plan to Address Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, and Diabetes 2035 (MN 2035 Plan). The plan provides detailed strategies and example actions for communities, health care providers, community and organizational leaders, and people to save lives, reduce health disparities, and improve health and well-being.

Visit the MN 2035 Plan YouTube playlist to learn more about the innovative ways Minnesotans are helping reduce heart disease, stroke, and diabetes in their communities. For example, the Whitney Senior Center, an organization that supports the health of people 55 and older in the greater St. Cloud area, is recognized as a provider of the National Diabetes Prevention Program. The senior center is in partnership with the African Immigrant and Refugee Center (Cairo), a St. Cloud nonprofit that advocates for equitable social, health, and economic opportunities for African refugee and immigrant children, youth, and families. We have achieved success through collaboration. Watch this Whitney Senior Center + CAIRO video to learn more.

-MDH-

Media inquiries:
scott smith
MDH Communications
651-503-1440
scott.smith@state.mn.us