Over 9.7 Million Women Affected
Diabetes is a serious public health issue affecting an estimated 9.7 million women. Because of the increasing lifespan of women and the rapid growth of minority populations – among whom diabetes prevalence is two to four times higher than among white women – the number of women in the United States at high risk for diabetes and its complications is increasing.

Women are often the gatekeepers for healthcare-related decisions for their entire family and have the ability to positively impact the well-being of their families by encouraging healthier lifestyle choices.

This is incredibly important for people living with diabetes or for families with a history of diabetes who can incorporate healthier habits to reduce the risk of developing serious diabetes-related complications, such as blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputations, and nerve damage.

The burden of diabetes on a woman’s health puts her at a higher risk for certain complications as compared to men.

Women in minority racial and ethnic groups are the hardest hit by type 2 diabetes. The prevalence is about two to four times higher among African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, and Asian/Pacific Islander women than among non-Hispanic white women. (Source: CDC)

Women with diabetes are at increased risk of developing heart disease, the leading complication of diabetes, as compared with men with diabetes and as compared with women who do not suffer from diabetes. (Source: CDC)

Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and among the top ten leading causes of death among women. (Source: CDC, ADA)

Gestational Diabetes
Diabetes can affect both mothers and their unborn children. For women who do not currently have diabetes, pregnancy brings the risk of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes develops in two percent to five percent of all pregnancies, but disappears when a pregnancy is over. (Source: ADA)

How common is diabetes?

Today more than 20 million Americans have diabetes of which 6.2 million are undiagnosed. The average American has a 1 in 100 chance of living with type 1 diabetes and a 1 in 9 chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy needed for daily living.

What are the types of diabetes?

There are two main types of diabetes:

• TYPE 1 affects people who cannot produce insulin and most often strikes children and young adults. It cannot be prevented and must be treated with insulin therapy.
• TYPE 2, the most common form of diabetes, occurs when the body continues to produce insulin, but at a lower rate. Lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, losing weight and taking oral medications can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic disorder that affects almost every part of your body. Over the years, constant high levels of blood glucose can lead to a host of long-term complications. If you diagnose, treat and manage your diabetes you may be able to prevent the long term and severe damage the disease can cause, including: kidney damage, nerve damage, lower-limb amputations, blindness, gum disease and skin complications and cardiovascular disease.

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

Risk factors for type 2 include:

• Family history
• Older age
• Gestational diabetes during pregnancy
• African-American, Hispanic, Native American or Asian descent
• Obesity or being overweight including a high body mass index
• Living a sedentary lifestyle
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal cholesterol levels

If you have risk factors for type 2 diabetes, take prompt action to get tested. Know your family history and look for signs and symptoms of diabetes, so that you can treat it early, preventing the onset of serious complications.

What should I do if I have risk factors?

Get Tested -- If you are at risk, or if you experience symptoms, a simple fasting plasma glucose (FPG) blood test at your doctor’s office is all it takes to determine whether or not you are living with diabetes; a fasting glucose level of 126 mg/dL or above means you have diabetes. The test takes just a few seconds. Ask your doctor to get tested at your next appointment.

How do you manage and care for diabetes?

Managing diabetes usually means making many changes in your daily routine. You may have to start paying attention to things that you never gave a second thought – like eating and checking your blood glucose every day. You might need to take pills or inject insulin.

Taking care of diabetes revolves around four main areas:

• Monitoring
• Medication
• Meal planning
• Motion

Be In Control
The small steps you can take to potentially ward off diabetes or prevent the complications once you are diagnosed can also protect your overall health.

When you have diabetes, some of the most important things to remember are:

• The type and amount of medication you are taking
• When you are supposed to take your medication
• How and when to inject insulin
• When and how to test your blood glucose
• Your target blood glucose levels
• The signs and treatment of low blood glucose
• How to follow your meal plan
• When and how often, and how long you should exercise
• When to call your health care provider
• How often to schedule follow-up visits with members of your diabetes care team
• Making healthy changes in your diet and exercise level helps you lose weight and lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol – all factors that can reduce your chance of getting diabetes

What is diabetes and isn't diabetes?

When your body does not make enough insulin, or when the insulin you do make does not work as well as it should, you have diabetes. When you have diabetes, you must do the work your body used to do automatically to keep the insulin/glucose balance.

Diabetes is a progressive medical condition…

• You will always have diabetes
• You need to stay on top of managing diabetes in order to prevent or delay complications

However…

• You can have a long, active, fulfilling life
• You can take charge of diabetes with knowledge and some advance planning

Diabetes is not…

• Something you should ignore or take lightly
• Something that will go away
• Contagious

Diabetes Associations
The American Diabetes Association
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
JDRF - Washington DC
JDRF - New York
JDRF - Los Angeles
Diabetes Association Of Greater Cleveland
Diabetes Exercise And Sports (DESA)