Preventable diabetes growing: Alaskans need to eat healthy and get active.

• Author: Stomierowski, Peg
• Position: HEALTH & MEDICINE

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What may be the most regrettable aspect of diabetes and its prevalence in Alaska--its potential prevention in many cases through diet, exercise and annual blood screening--also points out key directions health care leaders are aiming to move in reducing the risks by encouraging healthy living.

Prevention is the focus here, according to Stephanie Felix, associate manager of programs for the American Diabetes Association serving Alaska. Unfortunately, she said, many people end up with diabetes because they'd rather "not know of potential diagnosis and have to contend with lifestyle changes." Some even "know they have diabetes and feel guilty for not making" the needed changes.

INCREASING NUMBERS

According to the January 2009 report "Alaska's Diabetes Burden," published by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, diabetes is growing at an alarming rate. "During the timeframes 2000 to 2002 and 2004 to 2006, the number of adults in the state with diabetes grew by 48 percent, from 16,631 to 24,555," report authors wrote. For 2006 to 2008, data showed 29,373 adult Alaskans with the disease. In 2007, health care expenditures for this group amounted to about $290 million, with about $82 million in indirect costs (e.g., reduced productivity, disability, premature mortality), for a total of about $370 million--and this, sources lamented, in a state not known for easily affordable or accessible medical care.

While work place and community programs can help make a dent in Alaska's diabetes problem, Felix said, the example that parents set for their children is probably one of the key factors to turning the trends around.

Most people with type 2 diabetes (the most common form) may have been able to prevent their disease by exercising more and watching their food portions, she said. Diabetes is often linked to the state's struggle with overweight and obesity, and it has been shown that people who were heavy in youth have a tough time reversing that profile, she said.

NO CURE

For many patients diagnosed as adults, Felix said, a successful program of exercise and weight loss can make a huge difference: "While there is no cure for diabetes, persons with type 2 diabetes can significantly lower their blood glucose levels and lessen their dependence on medications."

They will, however, remain at risk for insulin-related problems and will...