HCS/535
Diabetes Health Campaign The United States has become known as a fast food society so it is no wonder that the increase of incidences related to chronic diseases have increased. Most Americans spend their time working longer hours and spend less time working out. Healthy People 2020 identify health issues and create health objectives associated with health issues. Diabetes is also referred to as Diabetes Mellitus and has three types: Type one, Type two, and gestational diabetes. Diabetes impacts an enormous portion of the population as well as having detrimental effects on health. Federal, state, and local governments continually assess how to address this growing health issue. “Diabetes affects an estimated 23.6 million people in the United States and is the seventh leading cause of death” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013). The prevalence of diabetes is expected to continue to rise so creating goals, objectives, and educational forums that are easily accessible to the diabetic populations is critical for reducing the incidence.
What is Diabetes? Diabetes “occurs when the body cannot produce or respond appropriately to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to absorb and use glucose (sugar) as fuel for the body’s cells” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013). When blood glucose levels elevate and remain elevated then other body systems are adversely affected. Type one diabetes is when the body cannot produce insulin resulting in life-long insulin injections. Type two diabetes is when the body becomes resistant or loses the ability to produce insulin. Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnancy and can be a precursor to type two diabetes later in life.
Prevalence and Cost of Diabetes According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 18.8 million people diagnosed with diabetes, seven million undiagnosed, 79 million