THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO WIN THE FIGHT TO DEFEAT DIABETES
For over 30 years, DDF has provided progressive programs, original content, and diabetes resources, to accomplish our mission of defeating diabetes. Through an integrated approach, DDF works tirelessly to provide communities and individuals with research-based information to raise awareness of the disease, and the tools and action-steps every person can take to prevent type 2 diabetes in their life, the lives of their loved ones, and in their community.
Arm yourself with knowledge about diabetes, nutrition, and exercise through our current and comprehensive resources on our website. Get involved by signing up for our monthly newsletter, and help support our work and programs through donations and active participation.
Diabetes Prevention
Type-2 diabetes is a highly preventable disease. Healthful and mindful dietary and lifestyle choices can help halt the spread of this rapidly rising global epidemic. Eating diets based on fresh, whole and unprocessed foods, while leading active and balanced lifestyles, can greatly reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Diabetes Management
Through informed self-management and integrative planning with medical professionals, Diabetics can live happy, healthy and productive lives.
Sustainable Solutions
The ways we as a world population have been living is completely unsustainable, with wide-reaching consequences for our health, our planet and our future. Our programs and content focus on the long-term environmental, social, economic and health impacts of our choices.
The COVID-19 outbreak has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). In general, people with diabetes (type 1, type 2, or gestational) face greater risks of complications when dealing with viral infections like flu, and that is likely to be true with COVID-19.
Diabetes, and other chronic medical conditions, can make people more vulnerable to infections, leading to serious consequences. In addition, uncontrolled diabetes with hyperglycemia is known to impair immune function. Because patients with diabetes may also have many other comorbidities such as organ failure and cardiovascular disease, it is important for people living with diabetes to take precautions to avoid the virus if possible, and to make a plan.
Step you can take now to prepare:
- Collect and have in one place the phone numbers of your doctors, healthcare team, your pharmacy, and your insurance provider.
- Compile a list of your medications and doses – don’t forget to include your vitamins and supplements.
- Refill prescriptions and be prepared with medications and testing supplies to last 14 days. If not cost prohibitive, have up to 30 days supply on hand in case of worst-case scenarios such as quarantine.
- If you do show flu-like symptoms (raised temperature, cough, difficulty breathing), it is important to consult a healthcare professional. If you are coughing up phlegm, this may indicate an infection so you should seek medical support and treatment immediately.
- Any infection is going to raise your glucose levels and increase your need for fluids, so make sure you can access a sufficient supply of water.
- Pay extra attention to your glucose control. Make sure you will be able to correct the situation if your blood glucose drops suddenly and you are too ill to eat. Have simple carbs like regular soda, hard candies or popsicles on hand. Do not keep these items in your regular food pantry.
- Place a card somewhere in your home that let’s help know that you are diabetic.
- If you live alone, make sure someone you can rely on knows you have diabetes as you may require assistance if you get ill.
To learn more about steps you can take to protect yourself and how to plan for a sick day, click here.
A RISING GLOBAL EPIDEMIC
Globally, more than 420 million people have diabetes – a prevalence of 8.5% of the adult population, and rising. Approximately half are undiagnosed, and more than 350 million are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Each year, over 250,000 of the more than 30 million people in the United States with diabetes, die due to diabetes complications. The global number of deaths caused by diabetes was a staggering 4 million in 2017.
1 in 3 US children is overweight or obese, and 380 million children are globally. 75% of these children will become overweight or obese adults. 87.5% of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the US are overweight or obese.
Originally considered a “disease of affluence,” type 2 diabetes now crosses all divides and is an unquestionable global epidemic. Type 2 diabetes has become pervasive within poorer communities, minority populations and developing world countries. And no longer does type 2 diabetes develop only in adults; children are now increasingly at risk, as childhood obesity spirals out of control.
SMALL STEP, BIG IMPACT
Your support can save a life and make a difference in how the world responds to the global diabetes epidemic.