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Diabetes Awareness Month

Each year in November we bring attention to the impacts of diabetes on millions of people from across the globe. Type 2 diabetes, and other diet related chronic diseases are a serious and growing public threat. The causes and drivers of increased rates are complex and multifactorial, including social and economic conditions that impact health and wellbeing.

One factor that has contributed to these trends over the past few decades is the food environment. Limited access to affordable, nutritious, and appealing foods and aggressive marketing of cheap, convenient, highly processed foods have made it very difficult to make healthy choices. A new report, The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America 2024, looks deeply at some of these trends and shares several recommendations for federal, state, and local policymakers and other stakeholders to support healthy lifestyles for all.

Data

• Overall prevalence of diabetes has increased in Minnesota over the past few decades (9%).
• A recent study found type 2 diabetes cases nearly doubled among US youth between 2001 and 2017​.
• Diabetes disproportionately impacts some communities more than others.​

Help spread awareness about diabetes

• Find resources for living with diabetes and get support through diabetes education or management programs.
• Visit our chronic disease prevalence interactive dashboard to learn more about diabetes and its impact on communities in Minnesota.
• Share messages and social graphics from the American Diabetes Association.

November is also Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Having uncontrolled blood sugars can lead to many negative health consequences. One of the most devastating is vision loss, which is preventable.

Diabetes eye disease, also known as diabetic retinopathy, occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than recommended for extended periods of time. The longer a person has diabetes and the more time a person has with higher-than-normal blood sugars, the more at risk they are of developing diabetic eye disease. Early symptoms of diabetic eye disease include blurred vision, seeing spots (floaters), and dark areas in vision. Some people have diabetic eye disease without any symptoms. Early detection of diabetic eye disease is essential to slow progression and preserve eyesight.

There are steps you can take to decrease your risk of developing diabetic eye disease including:

1. Complete a dilated eye exam annually. Make sure your primary care doctor receives a copy of the results from the eye exam.
2. Manage your blood sugars through diet, exercise, and medication use if needed. Ask your diabetes care team what range your blood sugars should be in. Monitor your blood sugars.
3. Quit or don’t start smoking.
4. Manage high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
5. Meet with your diabetes care team as recommended.

If you need support to manage your diabetes, ask your health care provider to refer you for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES). DSMES programs provide individualized education that gives you the skills to manage your blood sugars, reducing your risk for complications such as diabetic eye disease.

Is it time for your annual eye exam? Schedule it today!

News and Updates

Minnesota Chronic Kidney Disease Leadership Summit held

On July 24, the National Kidney Foundation held the Minnesota Ending Disparities in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Leadership Summit. More than 230 key health care and public health stakeholders across Minnesota registered, and 148 individuals attended the summit.

Minnesota stakeholders are implementing a roadmap to drive a cultural shift in primary care- toward increasing early diagnosis and appropriate management of CKD, particularly in communities disproportionately burdened by CKD.

To learn more contact Mallory Olson, Executive Director of NKF Serving Minnesota, mallory.olson@kidney.org.

Training and Events

New online learnings for community health workers A new online course from MDH empowers community health workers (CHW) to gain essential knowledge about diabetes and to help identify barriers to care. CHWs can help people in under-resourced communities prevent and manage diabetes through education, coaching, and other support. Trainings are also available on other chronic disease prevention topics including asthma, arthritis, and heart health. They range from 10-30 minutes and can be accessed through the MDH e-learning center. Learn more about CHW educational scholarships, resources, and opportunities for employers of CHWs: Community Health Worker Training Program.

2024 State of Diabetes in Minnesota Event

Nov. 14
9 a.m.
St. Louis Park, MN

Mark your calendar for the State of Diabetes, hosted by the American Diabetes Association. State of Diabetes brings together employers, industry leaders, health care providers, payers, and community experts on a shared platform to drive tangible outcomes that will improve diabetes care. At the event, we address the contemporary landscape of diabetes and the financial impact on employers and their employees—with the aim to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing among attendees.

Register today: www.diabetes.org/sodtwincities.

2024 Partners in Public Health Conference

Nov. 13-15
Breezy Point, MN

The Local Public Health Association and MDH are excited to launch a new opportunity for learning and connection: the Minnesota Partners in Public Health Conference. Join us at Breezy Point Resort as we explore new approaches for transforming Minnesota’s public health system. We will forge and strengthen our partnership and leverage each other's expertise to develop strategies that improve the wellbeing of our communities.

Learn more about the conference: www.health.state.mn.us/partnersinpublichealth

Resources

Got Medicare? Got prediabetes? Check out the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program

The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) is a health behavior change program that helps prevent type 2 diabetes. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers the MDPP once in your lifetime and you pay nothing for this program if you qualify for it.

The program begins with 16 weekly core sessions offered in a group setting over a six-month period. In these sessions, participants will get:

• Training to make realistic, lasting behavior changes around diet and exercise
• Tips for getting more exercise
• Strategies to control your weight
• A specially trained coach to help keep you motivated
• Support from people with similar goals and challenges

Once you complete the core sessions, you’ll get six monthly follow-up sessions to help you maintain healthy habits.

Learn more and find out if you might qualify by visiting Preventing Type 2 Diabetes with Medicare | National Diabetes Prevention Program | CDC.

Looking for a Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Supplier? Access the MDPP Supplier Map or view a list of all current MDPP suppliers, along with supplier location information and contact information.

Not covered by Medicare?‎ You may be eligible to enroll in the National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change program, which is backed by the same research and success as MDPP.

Thank you for your service: Honoring the spirit of comradery through peer-led walking program for military veterans

The health and wellbeing of veterans across the lifespan is distinctly affected by the unique experiences of being in the military, including increased risk of developing arthritis. Arthritis among those 18-44 is approximately double for veterans compared to non-veterans.

The University of Minnesota Extension (Extension) and MDH are collaborating on an innovative model that emphasizes a whole-person approach to arthritis management and prioritizes social interaction and connection to nature.  

Over the past five years, Extension has led Walk With Ease among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. Walk With Ease is a low-barrier, evidence-based program that helps participants gradually increase their physical activity over six weeks.

Extension and MDH designed a pilot to tailor the Walk With Ease program for military veterans, current service members, and their families in a peer-leader model. Grounded in the Total Force Fitness model, the program integrates physical activity with peer support, nature engagement, and nutrition education to improve arthritis management, mental health, and resilience, while also reducing social isolation and pain.

This model is being implemented in the St. Cloud area, where Extension staff work with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon – Central Minnesota.

Several veterans have already been trained to lead Walk With Ease within this peer-leader model, but we are seeking more interested leaders!  

If you are a military veteran or current service member and are interested in becoming a Walk With Ease peer-leader in your area, please contact Georgie.Kinsman@state.mn.us for more information.

Do you know where you stand with diabetes? Find out if you’re at risk for developing type 2 diabetes by completing a short health quiz: Do I Have Prediabetes?

Talk to your health care provider about this important topic! Type 2 diabetes is preventable. Knowledge is key to avoiding this chronic health condition.

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