If you could do something to drastically improve your life and at the same time save the state of Maine money, which in turn could be used to help those truly in need, would you do it? Personal responsibility is something we try to teach our children, and it is a concept that we need to apply to our own lives.
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. behind heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases and accidents. Today an estimated 26 million people are living with diabetes, and of those, the American Diabetes Association estimates that 7 million are unaware they have the disease. An additional 79 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, a condition that can greatly increase a person’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes as well as heart disease and stroke.
Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease in which there are high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and usually occurs slowly over time. Most people with the disease are overweight when they are diagnosed. Increased fat makes it harder for your body to use insulin the correct way.
In Maine alone, 9.4 percent, or almost 127,000 people, have diabetes, according to the Institute for Alternative Futures. By 2025, that number is expected to increase to 13 percent, or 186,000 people. The challenge is up to us, as a community, to change the statistic, and we can do that by increasing diabetes screening and improving our overall health through good nutrition and physical activity. Taking personal responsibility for our health is the way to a healthier and happier life.
If a person suspects he or she may have diabetes, visiting a primary care physician or local community health center to be tested for the disease is a good first step in preventing further diabetes-related complications and receiving important information to prevent or manage the disease. Patients who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes can control their blood glucose by eating healthy, creating and following an exercise program, losing excess weight and taking oral medications.
As a Maine state legislator, I understand the importance of providing a supportive environment where people can seek a balance between good health choices and an active lifestyle. In Penobscot County, there are a number of things you can do to fight diabetes. We live in a beautiful state where even taking a 20-minute walk down a country road can be both a beneficial and enriching experience. Maine is also home to numerous farmers markets and farm stands offering fresh produce and healthier food options. You can find many of them listed on getrealmaine.com. Our local town or city recreation committees plan many fun and healthy activities for us.
As we move into the winter season, it’s important to set a goal to keep moving. For me, snowshoeing and skiing have proved a way to make the winter pass more quickly, along with providing great exercise. Walking indoors at the mall can be a warm alternative for the colder days, and our local town or city recreation committees plan many fun and healthy activities to keep us moving. Being healthy doesn’t have to be a self-imposed routine. It can be a viable way to live your life.
I would like to urge everyone in our community to adopt healthy lifestyles in order to reduce their risks of developing this disease. Part of fighting diabetes means accessing information and being equipped with the know-how to make healthier choices. Diabetes self-management training is available through your local hospital. Together we can reduce the numbers of lives affected by diabetes, live healthier and reduce the cost of health care in Maine.
Rep. Stacey Guerin, R-Glenburn, represents Levant, Glenburn, Kenduskeag and part of Corinth in the Maine Legislature. She is a member of Women in Government, a national bipartisan group of state legislators, which has adopted diabetes control and prevention as one of its outreach goals.