Forbes Magazine - Americans Get Failing Grade on Diabetes Awareness

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Permalink Reply by Tom Goffe on November 2, 2009 at 10:28pm

Great story, but sad. Part of the problem is the stereotype that the medical community and media perpetuate: diabetes is a disease for fat, old or old and fat people - and occasionally little kids. The ADA doesn't do much to dispel the notion. Along with that is the underlying idea that people wouldn't have diabetes if they got off their butt, exercised and lost weight.

A second problem with public ignorance is that diabetes is a tough disease to describe. The complications are many, the disease itself is part of a complex process, and a clear cause is not readily identifiable. Unlike breast or prostate cancer, it is not limited to one segment of the population.

Ultimately, it is up to us - the people with diabetes - to become better educated about our disease and to do a better job of explaining it to our family and friends. No more hiding out to check BGs or to shoot up. Check that BG in fornt of them. Show them how you calculate carbs and insulin dose. Show them your BG 2 hours after the meal and explain why it is high or low. Let us dispel the ignorance by sharing our knowledge.

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