11.8.2018 – This November, Putnam Independent Living Services Recognizes National Diabetes Awareness Month and the Role of Inclusion in Prevention
This month-long campaign highlights a critical need for disability inclusion in diabetes prevention.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the rate of diabetes cases in the United States has nearly tripled over the past twenty years, particularly as the population ages and more adults become overweight or obese. What is often not highlighted is the number of adults at the highest risk for having Type 2 Diabetes, a condition also known as pre-diabetes. Approximately 84 million Americans or 1 in3 have pre-diabetes and most are not aware they have it.
In the United States people with disability make up approximately 25% of the total population and according to CDC, adults with disabilities experience a rate of diabetes more than double that of adults without disability (16.3% vs. 7.2%). Adults with disability also experience higher rates of obesity, hypertension and physical inactivity.
To raise awareness about diabetes, disability and healthy living, Putnam Independent Living Services is proudly participating in National Diabetes Awareness Month.
Joe Bravo, Executive Director of Putnam Independent Living Services (PILS), is enthusiastic about offering the CDC’s Prevent Type 2 program and said “Individuals with a diagnosis, or who have risk factors, are eligible for the program. Risk factors include being over 45, being overweight, having siblings or parents with type 2, also, for women, having giving birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds or having had gestational diabetes.” He continued “Our healthy living specialist, a trained Prevent T2 Lifestyle Coach, offers workshops throughout the county, gives presentations and will work with employers and social service providers to bring the program to their employees or consumers.”
Disability and diabetes do not discriminate. To learn more about prediabetes and Prevent Type 2, visit www.putnamils.org/diabetes-prevention-program. Spread the word and learn more at commitoinclusion.org/push4yourhealth and via social media #Push4YourHealth.
Putnam Independent Living Services (PILS) is the Putnam County arm of Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) a nonprofit, community-based; consumer directed organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities. PILS has been providing advocacy and outreach in Putnam for over 10 years. WILC has a 30 year history of providing information, services, advocacy, technical assistance, and trainings in the Lower Hudson Valley Region to diverse and/or underserved populations. Our mission is to assist individuals with disabilities become as independent as they can be and to work within the community to provide education, disability awareness, and advocacy for the removal of barriers. The programs and services offered are designed by, directed by, and, in most cases, delivered by individuals with a wide range of disabilities. Although the bulk of the services are based in Westchester and Putnam, we also serve Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Rockland and Ulster Counties. Core services include benefits advisement, information and referral, and community outreach.
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