DCHC Works to Curb Diabetes During the Pandemic

Sylvia Denson, RN, diabetes programs coordinator and leader of the diabetes institute at DePaul Community Health Centers, reminded the community that November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Due to various factors, she reported seeing an increase in the number of people living with diabetes and persons deemed pre-diabetic as the COVID-19 virus pandemic continues.

“The coronavirus pandemic has greatly exposed the disparities we face in diabetes care. People living with diabetes are at a greater risk for poor outcomes when they contract the COVID-19 virus,” said Denson. “Diabetes can be prevented and controlled with small changes, when we have knowledge about the disease and support from healthcare providers and family members.”

DCHC offers diabetes self-management classes and a diabetes prevention program for people who have a diagnosis of pre-diabetes or those who are at high-risk for developing diabetes. Denson offered the following tips the community may use to increase awareness about diabetes:

-Ask your doctor to screen you for diabetes.
 
-If the screen shows you are at high-risk for developing diabetes or have pre-
diabetes, join a diabetes prevention class.
 
-Slowly increase your physical activity to 30 minutes, 5 days a week.
 
-Stay hydrated. Drink 8, 8 ounce glasses of water daily.
 
-Increase your intake of non-starchy vegetables, by 3 to 4 servings daily.
 
-Seek help for and manage stress and depression immediately.
 
-If you or someone you know is a person living with diabetes, get info or
education on how to manage it.
 
-Share your knowledge of diabetes with family and friends.
 
-Give support to someone you know living with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

For information about DCHC’s diabetes management initiatives, call (504) 207-
3060.

11/17/2020