Diabetes webinars provide valuable information

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Diabetes Statistics Report for 2017, more than 100 million people in the U.S. have diabetes or prediabetes. Much work is still needed for prevention and management of this disease. This serious disease puts those who suffer from it at risk of other health complications including vision loss; heart disease; stroke; kidney failure; amputation of toes, feet or legs; and premature death. An astounding two out of five Americans are expected to develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. The CDC’s key findings show that:
    — Over half of new diagnosed diabetes cases were in adults 45-64 years old.
    — Approximately one in three adults have prediabetes.
    — Nearly 16 percent of adults diagnosed with diabetes were smokers.  
    — Nearly 90 percent were overweight.
    — More than 40 percent were physically inactive.  
    Diabetes can be managed successfully through physical activity, diet and use of insulin and oral medication to lower blood sugar levels.
    Colorado State University Extension of Northeast Colorado has made diabetes education and prevention a major goal each year. This was originally provided through health fairs, diabetes health fairs and face-to-face seminars. Fortunately, with the improvement and development of new technologies, this information can be provided to communities all across the state and can be recorded for future use.
    The idea to use a webinar format was started about five years ago. CSU Extension agents work along with other highly-qualified entities to provide a speaker that will provide research-based, professional information on various subjects related to diabetes identification, maintenance or prevention. The speaker presents information often through an hour-long PowerPoint presentation that is presented through the computer onto a screen.

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