Roughly one in eleven Americans suffer from diabetes, and another 86 million are at risk of developing the disease. Because of these statistics, November is dedicated to raising awareness of diabetes, how to prevent it and how to manage it. Several resources are available to Clemson faculty and staff through both ComPsych, Clemson’s employee assistance program, and PEBA, the state benefits administrator.
If you have diabetes, it’s important to know how the choices you make affect your health. The State Health Plan through PEBA offers a diabetes education program at no cost for eligible members. Virta uses food as medicine to help participants naturally lower their blood sugar and lose weight.
ComPsych offers this guide to Diabetes Awareness month, which includes lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Nearly one in five Americans with diabetes have it but don’t know it. The American Diabetes Association offers a sixty-second type 2 diabetes risk test to see if you or a loved one may be at risk for type 2 diabetes.
Clemson also offers programs to help those with diabetes. Know Diabetes by Heart and Health Extension for Diabetes are free education and support programs offered through Cooperative Extension.