November is National Diabetes Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 5, 2014

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. In Clark County, 9.5 percent of adults have diabetes, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). As part of National 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 diabetes. For information, contact the health district’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, (702) 759-1270 or visit the Get Healthy Clark County website www.GetHealthyClarkCounty.org. or the Spanish-language site, Viva Saludable www.VivaSaludable.org.

In addition, 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 stroke.

The Southern Nevada Health District has free, online programs that can help with nutritional choices and physical activity for anyone, including people with diabetes. Programs include the Nutrition Challenge and Walk Around Nevada. In addition, the health district’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion is promoting several tools to coincide with National Diabetes Month, including:

• Diabetes self-management tips and resources available for people with diabetes in both English and Spanish, visit www.GetHealthyClarkCounty.org , www.VivaSaludable.org or call (702) 759-1270.
• Toolkits and guides including the New Beginnings Guide and Road to Health Toolkit that can be used to supplement faith-based or support group activities.
• Diabetes prevention classes provided by the YMCA of Southern Nevada. For information call Barbara Carter (702) 522-7435, bcarter@lasvegasymca.org
• Diabetes prevention and self-management education classes provided by Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospital. For information, call (702) 616-4900.

Additional community partners’ activities and events can be found on the Get Healthy Clark County calendar of events: http://www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org/calendar/calendar.php

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.