To address the rising rate of diabetes in four Midwestern states, experts and stakeholders from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska will come together at the inaugural Region VII Diabetes Summit on Nov. 18.

The summit, which takes place during National Diabetes Month, will originate from Des Moines, Iowa, with speakers’ presentations broadcast live to participating sites in Columbia, Mo.; Omaha, Neb.; and Wichita, Kan. National diabetes experts will present in the morning, followed by breakout sessions unique to each state in the afternoon. Registration for each state and a detailed agenda are available at www.phnurse.org.

The summit targets physicians, nurses, advance practice nurses, diabetes educators, health coaches, community health workers, and dietitians to discuss diabetes prevention and control services. The four participating states represent the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Region VII.

Organizers of the event include the Robert Wood Johnson Public Health Nurse Leaders from Iowa and Kansas, Midwestern Public Health Training Center, Iowa Action Coalition, Iowa Department of Public Health, Kansas Action Coalition, Association of Public Health Nurses, and the American Diabetes Association.

About 1 in 3 U.S. adults have prediabetes, which means they are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose (sugar) levels are high, but not high enough yet to be classified as type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and serious diabetes-related complications. About 1 in 11 people (29.1 million) have diabetes; type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent, accounting for 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases.

Summit organizers encourage all adults to know their risk for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes by taking a one-minute risk test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. By knowing your risk, you can take steps to help prevent or delay getting type 2 diabetes.

“Most people with prediabetes don’t know they have it,” said Tanya Uden-Holman, director of the Midwestern Public Health Training Center based at the University of Iowa. “Additionally, approximately 1 in 4 people who already have diabetes are unaware that they have it and are at risk for serious diabetes-related complications.”

Prediabetes can often be reversed through modest weight loss, making small changes to increase healthy eating, and increasing moderate physical activity. These steps can also help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes onset. If you have prediabetes, the National Diabetes Prevention Program can help. The National Diabetes Prevention Program is a year-long program that has been proven effective at preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes.

If you have diabetes, it is important to work with your health care provider to manage the condition and prevent complications. Diabetes Self-Management Education programs can help. Talk to your healthcare provider about attending a Diabetes Self-Management Education program.

Story Source: Midwestern Public Health Training Center, University of Iowa

Media Contact:  Laurie Walkner, Coordinator, Midwestern Public Health Training Center; (319) 335-6836; laurie-walkner@uiowa.edu