Diabetes is a disease that causes high blood glucose levels. People with diabetes can't produce enough insulin or use the body's insulin as well as it should. There are three types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational. Other types of diabetes can be caused by genetic conditions, infections or other illnesses. Having diabetes requires making adjustments in your life, but there are numerous support groups and resources to assist people living with the disease.
Living with Diabetes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 8 percent of the population in the United States has diabetes. Learning that you have diabetes can be stressful. But you are not defined by the disease. With a healthy diet, physical activity and the appropriate treatment for the type that you have, diabetes can be very manageable.
Support Programs
A support program is a great resource and outlet to communicate and network with others who can relate to what they are going through. Reaching out to others can relieve some of the stressful emotions associated with having diabetes--especially among the newly diagnosed--and also yield advice from others on how to better manage diabetes. Almost every state in the United States has at least one diabetes support group. The Defeat Diabetes Foundation maintains a current list and contact information for diabetes support groups in each state.
Community Programs
Community programs are designed to educate diabetes prevention and awareness, and provide resources to people with diabetes on how to manage and get adequate treatment and care. The American Diabetes Association has several workshops and tool kits to educate communities, including programs specific to African-American, Latino and Native American communities. It also has resources that focus on educating employees on the warning signs of diabetes and preventing discrimination among those with diabetes in the workplace.
Support Groups for Children
When one person has diabetes, it affects the whole family--especially if that person is a child. These children likely need care in school, child care or after-school programs. About one out of every 400 to 600 children has diabetes. There are also support groups that specifically engage youths in dealing with diabetes. Children with Diabetes is an online community that connects children and parents across the world. Health professionals are also available to answer questions. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation also hosts an online diabetes support community with groups for kids and teenagers.
Education Programs
The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is a federally funded program that works to improve the treatment and outcomes for people with diabetes. The NDEP has created successful public health campaigns designed for people with diabetes and their families, people at risk for Type 2 diabetes and health care professionals. The campaigns include messages on the importance of controlling glucose levels, knowing when you are at risk and the benefits of managing diabetes for life.
