Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not make enough insulin or does not properly use insulin to keep up with the amount of sugar in the blood. Your body changes most of the food you eat into glucose (sugar) and, through the blood stream, uses it to give your body energy. However, too much glucose in the blood is not good for your health.
Diabetes Prevention Program
The National Diabetes Prevention and Lifestyle Change Program (NDPP), which is based on research lead by the National Institutes of Health and supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), helps prevent type 2 diabetes by 58% when participants lose 5% to 7% of their body weight (10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person).
To qualify for the program, a person must be overweight and at risk of developing diabetes and/or have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Many factors increase your risk for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes:
- Being 45 years of age or older
- Having a family member with diabetes
- Having a family background of African-American, Hispanic/Latino, American-Indian, Asian-American, or Pacific-Islander
- Having had diabetes while being pregnant (gestational diabetes), or having given birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
- Being physically active less than three times a week
NDPP spans one year and participants meet as a group with a trained lifestyle coach for 1 hour once a week for 16 weeks, then every other week for 4 months, then once a month for the final 3 months. Participants learn how to make healthy lifestyle changes that can help prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes, including choosing healthier foods, losing weight, being more physically active and managing stress. The group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges.
The Heart Health Plus Program was created with the purpose of reducing health inequity in areas with a disproportionate burden of heart disease and related risk factors. The Florida Department of Health in Jackson County (DOH-Jackson) represents 1 of 15 county health departments that have implemented Heart Health Plus activities, including blood pressure self-monitoring (BPSM) programs, within the community. In addition, our staff work with community partners to provide screening and outreach within priority populations. We also collaborate with health systems to establish policies and systems that encourage the use of BPSM.
High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps. When blood pressure stays high it is called hypertension. This means that the heart must work harder to get blood through your arteries to the rest of the body. High blood pressure can affect many other areas and puts a person at an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.
There are many things that can increase your risk of getting hypertension. Some we can control while others we cannot.
| You Cannot Control | You Can Control |
|---|---|
| Race | Weight |
| Heredity | Diet |
| Age | Alcohol Consumption |
| Sex | Physical Activity |
| Smoking |
Heart-Healthy Living
Heart-healthy living involves understanding your risk, making healthy choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of getting heart disease. By taking preventive measures, you can lower your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. You can also improve your overall health and well-being.
Key steps
- Know your risk for heart disease
- Check your blood pressure and cholesterol
- Choose heart healthy foods
- Aim for a healthy weight
- Get regular physical activity
- Manage stress
- Quit smoking
- Get high quality sleep
Diabetes is the leading cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, limb amputation, and new-onset blindness. Diabetes was the 8th leading cause of death in Jackson County in 2020.
Florida Department of Health in Jackson County provides Diabetes Prevention Support, Diabetes Self-Management Referrals, and an Insulin Distribution Program for people with no other insulin options.
For more information, contact:
Tabitha Peterson
850-526-2412, Ext. 203
Fax: 850-372-6420
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.