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Goal: Affinity is
seeking projects that focus on the diagnosis, treatment,
management and prevention of diabetes and its risk
factors.
Overview: Over the last several decades, the rate
of adult-onset diabetes (Type 2, the common type in
adults) has increased dramatically in this country,
prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
to label diabetes an epidemic. Type 2 diabetes is
estimated to represent approximately 90% to 95% of all
diagnosed cases of diabetes. The surge in diabetes has
been linked to the increasing obesity rate in this
country. In addition, approximately one-third of people
with diabetes do not know they have the disease. If not
detected early and treated properly, diabetes may have
devastating consequences.
Diabetes is a metabolism
disorder characterized by high levels of blood glucose
resulting from the body’s inability to produce or
properly use insulin. Diabetes is easily |
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diagnosed and clinical guidelines for proper
treatment are available. Diabetes can be managed with
lifestyle changes and/or medications. There are also
guidelines and recommendations for people who have
pre-diabetes blood levels, which may indicate an
impaired ability to process glucose. Those needing
frequent diabetes testing and monitoring include:
persons with impaired glucose tolerance, obese adults,
everyone over the age of 60, people with high blood
pressure, women with a history of gestational diabetes,
people who have a first-degree relative with Type 2
diabetes, and racial / ethnic minority groups.
In the past eight years, diabetes has doubled among
adults in New York City. In a recent survey for New York
City, one in every 13 adults reported having diabetes.
Neighborhoods with the highest levels of obesity often
have the highest rates of diabetes. In addition,
diabetes disproportionately affects Hispanic and
African-American New Yorkers. Diabetes is an especially
serious problem for Hispanics in New York City, who are
four times more likely to have diabetes than whites and
Asians, and two times more likely than
African-Americans.
Today there are excellent devices for monitoring blood
glucose levels, effective treatments for diabetes and
major advances in prevention. When detected in its
earliest stages, diabetes is more easily controlled, and
complications can be avoided. But if not diagnosed early
or managed properly, diabetes may have devastating
consequences, including heart attack, stroke, kidney
failure, blindness, severe nerve damage, and limb
amputations. The National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Diabetes Prevention program, a major study conducted on
a diverse population of overweight Americans with
impaired glucose tolerance, showed that a healthy
low-fat diet and regular exercise can reduce body weight
by 7% and ward off Type 2 diabetes in people who are at
high risk for the disease.
Due to today’s obesity epidemic, more people are
developing diabetes than ever before and suffering from
its complications -- and the numbers of those with this
chronic condition are projected to rise. Minority
groups, who may have the most unmet treatment needs, are
shown to have the greatest incidence of diabetes.
Focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, self-management
and prevention of diabetes and its risk factors,
particularly obesity, is essential to prevent morbidity
and mortality, and improve health and functioning.
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