November is National Diabetes Awareness Month
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which the body’s ability to respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine.
Type I
Type I diabetes is called “insulin dependent diabetes” and often begins in childhood. With Type I, the damaged pancreas does not make any insulin. Only 5% of people with diabetes have Type I.
Type II
Often a milder form of diabetes than Type I, with Type II Diabetes, the pancreas usually produces some insulin. But either the amount produced is not enough for the body’s needs, or the body’s cells are resistant to it.
Diabetes in the Construction Industry
During the last decade, the prevalence of diabetes dramatically increased among workers in construction trades, particularly in those over age 55. Approximately 7% (21 million) of the entire U.S. population have diabetes; of those, an estimated 6.2 million people are undiagnosed. According to a medical screening program among construction workers, about half of the diabetics identified by the screening did not know that they had diabetes.
Fund Participant Particulars
824 members have diabetes
3,269 members have Hypertension and/or High Cholesterol which can lead to Diabetes
$448,733 dollars spent on diabetes since 2019
Know the Signs
Risk Factors
High Blood Glucose ⋅ High Blood Pressure ⋅ High Cholesterol ⋅ Smoking ⋅ Ages 45+ ⋅ Family History ⋅ Overweight ⋅ Low Physical Activity
Symptoms
Frequent Urination ⋅ Excessive Thirst ⋅ Excessive Hunger ⋅ Extreme Fatigue ⋅ Blurry Vision ⋅ Slow to Heal Cuts and Bruises ⋅ Numbness in Hands & Feet
Foods that Help Prevent Diabetes
- Whole Grains
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Blueberries
- Grapefruit
- Plain Yogurt
- Water
- Carrots
- Avocados
To search for a provider near you visit the Independence Administrators website
Source: cdc.gov
