Georgia Coastal Health District

Diabetes Prevention

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Diabetes affects nearly 30 million people in the United States, and more than one out of every three adults have prediabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t make enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes develops when your body can’t use insulin properly. Most cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by losing weight, eating healthier, and becoming more active. Check out these tips to reach and stay at a healthy weight.

Carbohydrates and Diabetes

What do carbohydrates have to do with diabetes? A lot. Understanding carbohydrates can help you prevent Type 2 diabetes. This Carb Guide [PDF, 6.22 MB] helps breakdown the link between carbs and Type 2 diabetes and provides a good, basic explanation of which carbs are better for you and why.

There are more than 79 million Americans who have prediabetes, and many don’t know it. In Georgia alone, more than one million people have diabetes, and about 44,000 Georgians are diagnosed with diabetes every year. People with prediabetes have blood glucose (sugar) levels higher than normal. The levels are not yet high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis; however, people with prediabetes are more likely to get type 2 diabetes than others.

Diabetes can lead to serious health complications, including heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, or loss of toes, feet, or legs. Even though prediabetes puts you at high risk, there are ways you can lower your chance of getting type 2 diabetes.

Take the American Diabetes Association’s Prediabetes Risk Test!

The National Diabetes Prevention Program is focused on helping prediabetics avoid type 2 diabetes by making modest lifestyle changes. The Program is free and is designed so that participants receive support, not only through a Lifestyle Coach but also from each other by sharing ideas, celebrating successes, and working to overcome obstacles. 

Click here if you’re interested in joining the program!

Diabetes Support Groups

McIntosh County

• Where: McIntosh County Multipurpose Center, 1009 Eulonia Park Road in Townsend
• When: First Thursday of each month, 5:30-6:30pm
• Who: Open to individuals living with diabetes and their families
• What: In partnership with the Talki Foundation, sessions will be a mix of education, resources, and community support
• How: No registration necessary. For more information, call 912-484-1885.

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