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10 Ways to Raise Diabetes Awareness All Year Long

Written by: Melissa Herrmann Dierks , RDN, LDN, CDCES
10 Ways to Raise Diabetes Awareness All Year Long

Every November, the diabetes community honors Diabetes Awareness Month with events, fundraisers, and campaigns intended to educate the public and raise awareness about the condition.

For people with diabetes, awareness levels may be unique to their journey with diabetes — from experienced to novice. Since diabetes is a chronic condition with a direct impact on one’s health, there’s a crucial need to raise awareness about the prevalence of diabetes to educate people who may not understand the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.

Below, we outline the importance of diabetes awareness and detail 10 ways to raise awareness, all year long.

What is diabetes awareness and why is it so important?

With a high number of cases in both the U.S. and throughout the world, advocating for diabetes awareness is more important than ever before. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that in the U.S., 34.2 million people — or 10.5% of the total population — have diabetes. Across the globe, approximately 463 million adults are living with diabetes.

Since prediabetes and type 2 diabetes may be prevented or delayed, raising diabetes awareness can educate people on possible symptoms and ways to reduce their individual risk. Spreading awareness can also be a way to help people with diabetes understand best practices for daily management, and dispel myths or misunderstandings about the different types of diabetes.

Detecting prediabetes and diabetes

According to the CDC, 7.3 million people in the U.S. have undiagnosed diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. While diet and lifestyle factors can contribute to symptoms, there are other factors linked to type 2 diabetes risk, including genetics, certain hormonal disorders, and having gestational diabetes during pregnancy. If not properly managed, type 2 diabetes can also lead to serious health problems.

Type 1 diabetes accounts for nearly 5-10% of diagnosed cases, and can lead to serious, life-threatening conditions if not detected early once symptoms appear. Currently, there is no known prevention for type 1 diabetes, since it is believed to be triggered by an autoimmune response.

Some people may not realize that they or someone they care for could have prediabetes or diabetes. However, early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent or delay serious health complications.

Creating support

One of the most important aspects of raising diabetes awareness is providing a support system for those who are living with diabetes. The stereotypes surrounding diabetes can be hurtful, but spreading awareness can help highlight the fact that a wide range of ages, races, and lifestyles are affected by diabetes.

For example, even though the onset of certain types of diabetes can be related to diet, it isn’t caused by eating too much sugar or sweets alone. And although type 2 diabetes is most common among older adults, more than 1.1 million children and adolescents all over the world are living with type 1 diabetes. There is also a growing number of adolescents who are showing symptoms of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, so it’s important to remember that the disease can affect all ages, shapes, and sizes.

Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day

November is diabetes awareness month in the U.S. and across the globe. Throughout the month, individuals and groups spread awareness through programs, campaigns, and events intended to educate their communities on the impact of diabetes.

The International Diabetes Federation also celebrates World Diabetes Day, which is recognized globally and held every November 14 — the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin in 1922 with Charles Best. World Diabetes Day has a special theme every year. For 2020, the theme is “The Nurse and Diabetes,” while the theme for 2018 and 2019 was “Family and Diabetes.”

10 ways to raise diabetes awareness

While Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day present the perfect opportunities to raise diabetes awareness, there are many ways to take action throughout the year.

Note: COVID-19 may have affected some of the opportunities listed below. Some events may be held virtually or may have been postponed. However, there are plenty of contact-less ways to spread diabetes awareness.

1. Use social media to educate people

Social media is a great way to reach your friends and family, as well as new connections. Whether you do it once a week or once a month, you can start to increase diabetes awareness among your followers by sharing facts and statistics from reputable sources, such as:

The ADA encourages people with diabetes to share their story through social media posts, photos, and videos using the hashtag #ThisIsDiabetes. You can search for this hashtag on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or other platforms to find new connections and learn about people’s personal experiences with diabetes. You can also participate in the ADA’s Count Me In campaign by uploading your photo and sharing it on social media.

2. Join a fundraiser for diabetes education, research, and advocacy

All throughout the year, you can find fundraisers, walk-a-thons, races, and other events that donate proceeds to diabetes research and education. Here are a few of the most popular:

Event updates due to COVID-19

For 2020, JDRF is holding The Power of Us, a virtual event featuring entertainment and stories from the type 1 diabetes community. The ADA has also transitioned all 2020 Step Out walks into virtual events. Events listed on the IDF website are likely to follow suit. You can check the status of the events in your community using the IDF’s interactive map.

3. Create your own fundraiser or event

If you’re looking for something more personal, Beyond Type 1 encourages people to create their own DIY fundraisers. Some options include holding a bake sale, organizing a dance-a-thon, and requesting donations to diabetes research in lieu of birthday presents.

You can get more people involved by creating your own diabetes awareness event. Reach out to community leaders and local organizations and explain your goal of spreading diabetes awareness. There could be upcoming events that they will invite you to participate in or you can work together to develop new initiatives.

4. Find or start a diabetes support group

The mental health aspect of living with diabetes can leave people feeling helpless, overwhelmed, or angry. Building or joining a diabetes support network is a psychologically beneficial way to feel less alone.

You can find a support group by contacting your local ADA office, community hospital, or your healthcare provider. For women ages 18 and up, you can join a local PODS meetup, which are geographically based support groups lead by the organization DiabetesSisters. The ADA also has an online support community if you prefer to get your support virtually.

If there aren’t any support networks in your area, why not create your own? Using social media or diabetes-specific forums, you can share and connect with people who are interested in participating. You can learn more about building a diabetes support network in our article, Finding Diabetes Support.

5. Sign petitions or write to your representatives

Becoming a diabetes advocate is a great way to publicize your support for diabetes research, funding, and education. From expanding paid sick leave to increasing funding for research programs, there are many ways you can take action and spread awareness.

One of the biggest topics in the diabetes community is the price of insulin, which has skyrocketed in the last few years. For many people with diabetes, access to it can mean the difference between life and death. There are a few quick actions you can take to join the fight to lower the cost of insulin. Sign the ADA’s petition or download T1 International’s editable letter to send to your local representatives.

The ADA lists federal and state actions that you can support here. Don’t forget to share these on social media to encourage others to join the cause.

6. Call Congress

Every spring, the ADA gathers hundreds of diabetes advocates for Call to Congress at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The goal is to educate Congress about diabetes’ impact and to gain support for policy change and legislation to move our nation closer to preventing and curing diabetes, as well as improving the lives of those affected.

The in-person gathering may only be a few days each spring, but it’s an ongoing campaign throughout the year. The ADA always needs volunteers and fundraisers to help get the word out.

If you can’t make it to Washington D.C., you can contact your federal, state, and local officials here.

7. Keep learning about diabetes

Diabetes research is a continually evolving field, with new studies, treatments, and breakthroughs occurring all the time. Caring for your own diabetes is also an ongoing process that can require re-evaluation as you age or your lifestyle changes.

It’s important to always continue learning about diabetes and your type of diabetes in particular, whether it be through online research or with the help of a healthcare professional.

Meeting with a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) will help you get a better understanding of diabetes and how it specifically affects your overall health. A CDCES is also able to answer questions, provide individualized one-on-one coaching, and offer tips to help you manage your condition. You can learn more about diabetes educators and find one near you here.

8. Do something good for your health

You likely have a few tasks you’ve been meaning to get to that could have a positive effect on your health. No matter your goals, there’s no better time than now to do something good for yourself.

Maybe it’s eating healthier lunches, going for more walks, or making an appointment with a specialist. Whatever your goals, you can recruit friends, family, or co-workers to join you and challenge each other. If you want to drink more water every day, start an office game to see who can refill their water bottle most in one day. Or, start a competition to see who can take the most steps every day.

9. Wear blue

An open blue circle is the universal symbol for diabetes, but not many people — including many with diabetes — are aware of its meaning.

According to the IDF, “The Blue Circle is the universal symbol for diabetes. It signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the rising number of people affected by diabetes. The symbol means nothing to many people. Help us change that!” To raise diabetes awareness, the IDF has created a blue circle selfie mobile app that you can use to take a photo of yourself with a blue circle and share on social media.

Another way to represent diabetes awareness is to wear the color blue. Try to make a habit of wearing blue once a week on the same day. You can share your outfits on social media to explain your cause and encourage others to wear blue with you.

10. Create a knowledge board

In addition to sharing facts and statistics on social media, you can create a bulletin board of information to grab people’s attention as they walk by. The ADA has a robust list of statistics you can use.

Try this in your dorm, apartment building, office, or school campus. You can put the bulletin board up in a hallway, a community breakroom, or a mailroom. Just be sure to get approval from the appropriate authorities first.

Whether you share a few educational social media posts or hold a virtual fundraiser, you’ll be supporting the cause of raising diabetes awareness. Together, our efforts can make an impact in the lives of those at risk and those living with diabetes.

 

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Written by: Melissa Herrmann Dierks , RDN, LDN, CDCES

Melissa Herrmann Dierks RDN, LDN, CDCES is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist in Huntersville, NC with over twenty-five years of professional experience in the field of nutrition and diabetes education. In addition to providing nutrition solutions for adults and children, she provides nutrition communication services to the food and beverage industry and is the owner of Supermarket Savvy. Melissa has held various sales and marketing positions for leading companies in the diabetes space including insulin pump, blood glucose monitor, and diabetes supply distribution companies.

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