Annually, I attend a Symposium filled with brilliant people who share a common theme of wanting the best for Oklahoma. A few days before setting off for this intellectual journey, they presented the question I would discuss with fellow panelists – Objects in Mirror are Closer than they Appear: Disruptions that are Fast Approaching. My initial thought – what in the hell am I going to speak about? 48 hours before presenting it dawned on me – PRE-DIABETES. I recalled a report presented at the Novo Nordisk Summit, forecasting staggering numbers of folks with pre-diabetes. I started my speech with – Look around, one in three of you sitting in this room has pre-diabetes…
The Institute for Alternative Futures clearly display the frightening forecasts for the advancement of this disease. According to the report, these forecasts assume a steady, but conservative, reduction in the number of people with complications due to better awareness of the risks of diabetes, earlier screening and intervention, and more effective therapies. CLICK HERE for the full report.*
For me, it seems like a no brainer. If I didn’t already have Type 1 diabetes and heard this forecast, I would sign up and get tested. The theory being – knowledge is power, NOT, ignorance is bliss. We (YOU) have the opportunity to take action should you fall into the “pre-diabetes” category. It’s as easy as getting a simple blood test. In fact, hip-hop legend Rev Run and his wife Justine Simmons partnered with Novo Nordisk to create Ask.Screen.Know.™, a national education program that challenges Americans to find out about their risk of Type 2 diabetes and raise awareness of the need for early screening.
So what are you waiting for? Contact your primary physician today and get tested!!!! Remember – knowledge is power, you can take charge and change your future.
Do you or someone you know have Type 2 diabetes? We would love to hear from you. CLICK HERE to learn more about joining the DDG team of guest contributors.
This is a fabulous idea. If you find out you are heading towards diabetes, tiny changes can make a BIG difference and alter the direction you are heading. The small changes (turn into habits) will be almost unnoticeable in your daily life, yet may save it!