November 17, 2014
Tom Canty, Vice President and General Manager, Empire BlueCross BlueShield Government, Labor and Special Accounts
November is American Diabetes Month, so as we gear up for those mouth-watering Thanksgiving, Chanukah or Christmas feasts – it’s a good time to think about this ever-growing disease and to come together as a community to Stop Diabetes®! Here are some things that you should know:
· Many people who are diagnosed with diabetes worry about what it means for them. The good news is, if identified early, those who suffer from this disease can lead healthy, active lifestyles.
· According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes – roughly one out of every 11 people. Another 86 million Americans have prediabetes. More startling however is that one out of four people don’t know they have it.
· Diabetes often goes untreated because the symptoms seem so harmless. But, early detection can help decrease the chance of complications. Medical research continues to provide new information about this disease. Today, physicians are able to help individuals identify if they are at- risk – and if they are diagnosed, can help them to monitor their diabetes and understand that it’s treatable.
· Because of the link between obesity and diabetes, it’s very important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine, particularly if there is a family history of diabetes. The disease is also prevalent in certain ethic groups that are genetically predisposed to developing it: African Americans, Latin Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
· If you or a family member is diagnosed, it’s important to follow any recommended program prescribed by a physician.
Diabetes is a disease that is manageable so long as the individual is armed with the needed information. At Empire BlueCross BlueShield, we want our members to be successful at managing their diabetes to avoid further complications that can come from the disease and live happy, healthy and productive lives.
