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Texas Can Beat Back Diabetes

November 6, 2007
Op-Eds

As printed in the Brenham Banner Press

Currently, 20.8 million American children and adults have diabetes, 7 percent of the population. Here in Texas, 1.3 million of us over the age of 18 have the chronic disease. Nearly one-third do not know they have the disease. Another 54 million Americans have "pre-diabetes," meaning their blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes, putting them at high risk of developing the disease.

Diabetes is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and lower limb amputation in our nation. Here in Texas, it is the sixth leading cause of death.

Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the United States. Since 1987, the death rate due to diabetes has increased by 45 percent, while death rates attributed to heart disease, stroke and cancer have declined.

One out of every 10 health care dollars was spent on diabetes and its complications, and in 2002, the direct and indirect economic toll of diabetes was $132 million.

While these are the facts, we must not lose sight of the many faces of diabetes. Throughout our state, diabetes has affected men and women, young and old, and every race. Everyday in our nation’s capital we deal with the harsh realities of poor healthcare in our country. There are steps you can take to try and stop from developing this killer.

November is American Diabetes Month, and as the facts and faces illustrate, diabetes is one of our nation’s most prevalent, debilitating, deadly and costly diseases. All of us are affected by diabetes in some way. All of us know someone – a relative, a friend, a coworker – who has diabetes. But what you may not know is that you have the power to control how diabetes impacts your life.

This month provides Americans with an opportunity to step back and talk about what each of us can do to fight diabetes.

While there currently is no cure for diabetes, it is proven that people can prevent the disease’s serious complications and live healthy, productive lives with proper management and treatment. Further, those at risk for developing type 2 diabetes can take steps and make lifestyle choices to delay or prevent its onset.

Who is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes cases? Seniors are at risk, as approximately half of all diabetes cases occur in people older than 55. Minorities also face an increased risk; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have estimated that by 2050, one in two minority adults will have the disease. Other risk factors for all Americans include a family history of diabetes, overweight, lack of regular exercise, and low HDL cholesterol or high blood pressure.

If you are at risk for developing diabetes, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure proper care. These steps include taking a diabetes risk test, getting early access to quality treatment and making healthy choices like eating right and staying active.


Seeing your doctor and getting a physical is the best way to determine your risk for developing diabetes. I encourage everyone to use Diabetes Month as an opportunity to take a friend, relative or yourself to the doctor to determine what steps can be taken to live a longer, healthier life.

Constituents can learn more about diabetes by visiting diabetes.org or by calling the American Diabetes Association’s Call Center at 1-800-DIABETES.

Diabetes stands as the great public health crisis of the next quarter century, but together we can decide fight this disease and improve the lives of all Americans affected by it.

For more information please visit my website at mccaul.house.gov.