November wellness focus: American Diabetes Month. 1 in 11 Americans today has diabetes. Despite its prevalence, diabetes is an invisible disease. It affects men and women, people young and old, and people of all races, shapes and sizes. Often there are no outward signs from the 29 million Americans who fight this chronic illness every day. That’s why there is a critical need to foster awareness and education while breaking down stereotypes, myths and misunderstandings about this growing public health crisis that affects so many of us.
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. One in 11 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 29 million people. And another 86 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
If you are overweight, have high blood pressure, or are age 45 or older, you are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that making healthy changes can greatly lower your risk. Find out your risk by taking the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test.
To help prevent type 2 diabetes:
- Watch your weight
- Eat healthy
- Get more physical activity
More resources:
- Diabetes Basics
- Living with Diabetes
- Food & fitness
- Get more information and a toolkit on diabetes to use in your workplace or on social media.
Here are some other health observances in November:
- Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
- Bladder Health Month
- COPD Awareness month
- Epilepsy Awareness Month
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month
- Movember – grow a mustache; raise money & awareness for prostate and testicular cancer
- National Family Caregivers Month
- Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month #WageHope and Win
Key Dates
2 – National Eating Healthy Day
14 – World Diabetes Day
14-20 – Get Smart About Antibiotics Week
16-22 – Don’t Text & Drive
17 – Take a Hike Day
19 – International Survivors of Suicide Day
20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance
24 – Thanksgiving