Campaign for Pre-diabetes Awareness Launched

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Diabetes Association and the American Medical Association (AMA) joined hands to initiate a public education campaign to create awareness regarding pre-diabetes.

One out of every three adults in the US suffers from pre-diabetes, which is a severe health condition that can eventually result in type-2 diabetes, heart attack and stroke. According to the CDC, approximately 29 million people suffer from diabetes, covering almost 9% of the total population.

Pre-diabetes indicates a more than normal level of sugar, but lower than the level that can be diagnosed as full-scale diabetes. DoIHavePrediabetes.org is the website on which people can take a short test to detect if they have pre-diabetes, with the test also available through texts and interactive TV as well as radio announcements.

Failure to undertake the proper treatment for pre-diabetes can result in up to 30% of the cases getting converted into type-2 diabetes within five years. The test will enable the people to know if they have a higher risk for pre-diabetes or diabetes, and take medical assistance in case of a negative outcome, according to Dr. Mary Vouyiouklis Kellis, who is an endocrinologist at Cleveland Clinic.

"Losing 5 to 7 percent of body weight can significantly reduce your risk as well as making lifestyle changes, which include portion control, reducing foods with refined sugars and exercising regularly," said Dr. Vouyiouklis Kellis.

She also revealed that in the case of pre-diabetes and diabetes, at times the symptoms do not appear until it reaches a very advanced stage. Pre-diabetes is being considered among the biggest threats to the health of the people in the U.S. Detecting pre-diabetes can serve as a first step towards avoiding type-2 diabetes, according to Dr. Andrew Gurman, AMA President-Elect.