November is American Diabetes Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 7, 2016

LAS VEGAS – Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States with approximately 9.3 percent of the population impacted. That translates to about 29.1 million Americans who have diabetes with 8.1 million of them undiagnosed, according to the American Diabetes Association (2015). In Nevada, 9.6 percent of adults have diabetes, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS 2014). As part of American Diabetes Month, the Southern Nevada Health District and its community partners continue to offer education, self-management classes, and support for people with diabetes and their families as well as programs that can help people lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For information, visit the Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Get Healthy Clark County website or the Spanish-language site Viva Saludable.

In addition to people living with diabetes, 86 million Americans age 20 and older are considered to have prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are elevated but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. That number is up from 79 million in 2010. People with prediabetes are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes as well as heart disease and having a stroke. As many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes by 2050 if present trends continue. Find local diabetes data at Healthy Southern Nevada.

The Southern Nevada Health District has free, online programs that can help with nutritional choices and physical activity for everyone, including people with diabetes. Online programs include the Road to Diabetes Prevention, Nutrition Challenge, and Walk Around Nevada. Diabetes self-management tips and resources are available for people with diabetes in English at Get Healthy Clark County and in Spanish at Viva Saludable.

In addition, the Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has several tools available and events to coincide with American Diabetes Month:

• Diabetes self-management programs:
  • Care4life self-management program for people with diabetes. For information call (702) 759-1270 or to sign up, visit Get Healthy Clark County. Watch a participant’s journey with Care4life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1VxFZkajGg
  • Adult Diabetes Education and Management Support Group (ADEMS) meets 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., the second Tuesday of each month at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston. For more information, call (702) 507-3964. The next meeting is Tue., Nov. 8
  • Nevada Diabetes Association’s Nevada Diabetes Resources directory has information about self-management classes provided by clinical and community partners. Visit Nevada Diabetes Association Resources Directory
  • AM 720 KDWN/America’s Diabetes Hour provides information about living with diabetes and available resources. The show airs Sundays 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. with Bob Fisher. The show can also be heard online www.KDWN.com/listen-live. Archived shows are available, visit: www.bobfishernv.com for more information.
  • Diabetes PowerShow.com has more than 157 podcasts available for patients and clinicians on a variety of diabetes-related topics.
• Special Events:
  • Wed., Nov. 9, the LEAP Alliance/Lions Diabetes Wellness Club is sponsoring a concert at 7:30 p.m., UNLV Artemus Ham Hall to honor diabetes heroes and Purple Heart Veterans. Tickets are $10 – $12. For tickets and information, contact Harriet Hayward: harriethayward@yahoo.com. For group rates call: (702) 755-0700.
  • Sat., Nov. 12, Celebrate Your Health (Celebrando Tú Salud) health fair for the Spanish-speaking community, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Alliance Against Diabetes clinic, 3930 E Patrick Lane. Free glucose and blood pressure checks, vision screenings provided by the Lions Club, information and resources will be available. For information, contact (702) 207-0400.

Statewide resources including events and toolkits for providers can be found at www.nvdiabetesed.org or http://nevadawellness.org/community-wellness/diabetes-education/tools-for-better-patient-outcomes/.

Additional community partners’ activities and events can be found on the Get Healthy Clark County calendar of events: Get Healthy Clark County Community Calendar.

For information and statistics about diabetes in the United States, visit American Diabetes Association Statistics.

Get Healthy Clark County, www.GetHealthyClarkCounty.org and the Spanish-language site, Viva Saludable, www.VivaSaludable.org also offer information about smoking cessation, injury prevention, and resources for a healthier lifestyle.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.