For American Diabetes Month in November, Vaya joined communities across the country to rally behind the fight to end diabetes – a disease that occurs when blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Nationwide, over 38 million people have diabetes and nearly 98 million have prediabetes. In the last 20 years, the number of Americans with diagnosed diabetes has more than doubled.
“Diabetes prevention and treatment is key to whole-person care,” said Dr. Lorena Wade, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Vaya Health. “Diabetes often leads to heart disease, chronic kidney disease, blindness, and many other chronic health conditions that can decrease quality of life and life expectancy.”
Vaya encourages members, and all North Carolinians, to take the American Diabetes Association’s 60-second type 2 diabetes risk test for themselves or a loved one today.
Individuals living with mental health challenges can be at higher risk for acquiring diabetes. Additionally, across the US, 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes and are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Yearly wellness visits can help identify, diagnose, and treat abnormal blood sugar levels. The early stages of diabetes often don’t have any symptoms, so it’s important to have a regular blood test to find out if your blood sugar is high.
“Ideally, we catch high blood sugar early, before it becomes diabetes,” said Dr. Wade. “Once you have symptoms you likely already have the disease. It’s important to talk to your doctor about having your blood sugar checked regularly.”
For those already living with diabetes, Vaya Total Care offers essential supplies including medications and testing materials to support effective diabetes management and help meet individual health needs. If your doctor has prescribed insulin to treat your diabetes, Vaya also provides guidance on proper insulin storage conditions and expiration guidelines to ensure safe and effective use.
Healthy Eating and Weight Maintenance
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with healthy eating patterns live longer and are at lower risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. For people with chronic diseases, healthy eating can help manage these conditions and prevent complications.
Do you want to improve your diet or manage your weight better? Learn about healthy eating for a healthy weight. You can also ask someone to join you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. Whether it is your family or a friend, having someone participate with you can help motivate you and hold you accountable.
