• Diabetes Awareness Month


     November is Diabetes Awareness month

    This is a time to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of diabetes prevention and control. Nearly 24 million children and adults in the U.S. are living with diabetes. If current trends continue, one out of every three children born today will face a future with the disease.

    *Facts:
    • Diabetes kills more Americans every year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
    • It is the #1 cause of blindness in adults.
    • It doubles the risk of heart attack and stroke.
    • 1 in 13 of all Americans have diabetes.
    • 1 in 4 of those don't know it yet.
    • 1 in 5 are on their way to getting it. Having a condition called prediabetes means you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next three to six years. People with prediabetes have blood glucose (sugar) levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

    *American Diabetes Association

    Prevention:
    Research shows you can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through a healthy lifestyle.
    • Change your diet. People at high risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the disease by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight, or about 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person. You can do that by eating healthier and being physically active for 30 minutes, five days a week.
    • Increase your level of physical activity. Physical activity can help you control your weight, blood glucose, and blood pressure, as well as raise your "good" cholesterol and lower your "bad" cholesterol.
    • Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese raises your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

      Diabetes care begins with informed patients.
    • Talk to your health care provider about how to manage your blood glucose (A1C), blood pressure, and cholesterol.
    • Get a flu vaccine. For those with diabetes, it is important to ask for the "shot" version. Talk to your health care provider about a pneumonia (pneumococcal) shot. People with diabetes are more likely to die from pneumonia or influenza than people who do not have diabetes.

      Stay Informed and share what you learn. You can join the effort to help promote National Diabetes Awareness Month  in your area by using NDEP messages, tools and resources.

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    This blog was created as part of the E-Government services offered by the Pasco County Library System. Our intent is to provide the citizens of Pasco County, Florida electronic resources and information about Health Care in Pasco County.

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    Prescription Drug Help

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    Florida Discount Drug Card Program

    If you are 60 years old or older and without prescription drug coverage or who fall into the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage gap; or under age 60, without prescription drug coverage, and with an annual family income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level you may use this program. Qualifying incomes include those below the following:


    $32,490 (for an individual)

    $43,710 (for a family of two)

    $66,150 (for a family of four)


    For general information: http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com/

    To enroll go to: http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com

    Or call 1-866-341-8894 to enroll by telephone


    Pasco County Prescription Discount Card


    You can pick these up at any library branch or at the health department to receive a discount on your prescriptions.


    For information 1-877-321-2652 or visit their website www.caremark.com/naco