Diabetes Awareness Month is recognized each November. Dr. Omar Ahmed, 11th Medical Group internal medicine physician, kicked-off this year’s observance with a lunch and learn presentation on insulin resistance, for 29 Family Health Clinic providers and nurses.
The 11th Medical Group disease management team served a healthy lunch and attendees discussed lifestyle changes for staff as well as patients.
“The presentation was a great start to Diabetes Awareness Month,” said Maj. Joanne Kmetz, 11th Medical Group disease manager. “Dr. Ahmed discussed Type 2 diabetes and how to lower the risk of complications. Clinic staff can put the information to use immediately with their patient population.”
The disease management team also conducted a Healthy Holiday Recipe Contest. Staff and patients were invited to submit their favorite healthy recipe and on Nov. 8, desserts were available for tasting in the main lobby of Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center. About 40 people stopped by to sample healthy deserts and vote on their favorite.
"We wanted to show that holiday eating can be healthy and taste good,” said Kmetz. “The winning recipe was a toffee brownie trifle.”
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled.
One in 10 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 30 million people. And another 84 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
The good news? People who are at high risk for Type 2 diabetes can lower their risk by more than half if they make healthy changes. These changes include: eating healthy, getting more physical activity, and losing weight.
For more information about diabetes or to sign up for the Diabetes Self-Management Education Class, call Maj. Joanne Kmetz at 240-612-2396.