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Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. When we eat, our bodies turn the food we eat into glucose, which is a type of sugar. The pancreas, an organ near the stomach, creates a hormone called insulin that helps glucose get into cells where it can be used for energy. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin as well as it should, causing sugar to build up in the body. Insulin levels also affect carbohydrate, lipid, protein and mineral metabolism. Problems with insulin signaling can therefore have widespread and serious effects on other tissues and organs disrupting important systems and functions.
There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes results from the body's failure to produce insulin requiring the person to inject insulin or wear an insulin pump. This form was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes combined with an absolute insulin deficiency. This form was previously referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs when pregnant women without a previous diagnosis of diabetes develop a high blood glucose level. It may precede development of type 2 DM. Other forms of diabetes may result from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses.
About 486,600 Louisiana residents have a diagnosis of diabetes. Everyone can play a role in improving the burden of diabetes in our state - eat healthy, manage stress and add physical activities to your daily lifestyle. You can live well with diabetes through achievable life changes.
The Louisiana Department of Health's Well-Ahead Louisiana program (WAL) connects with community residents and local leaders, healthcare workers, food banks, barbershops, parks and recreation, and more to educate on preventing and managing diabetes. WAL works to make healthy living easy by placing type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes programs and resources within reach of where people, live, work, thrive, and play. Together, we can move Louisiana’s health forward.
Tracking Diabetes in Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Health Data Explorer tracks the age-adjusted percentage of adults ages 20 and older with diabetes, excluding gestational diabetes.
Data Sources
Additional Info
- American Diabetes Association
- International Diabetes Federation - Diabetes Atlas
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Diabetes Education Program
Contact
For more info on diabetes prevention and management, visit wellaheadla.com or call 1-844-522-4323.
For more info on tracking diabetes, contact the Louisiana Environmental Public Health Tracking Program at tracking@la.gov or call 1-888-293-7020.