Rise in type 2 diabetes calls dentists, health professionals to action
|
Posted Dec. 19, 2007 |
Dental professionals are in a unique position to make a difference in patients' overall health simply by talking to them about preventing type 2 diabetes.
A diabetes brochure suggests that dentists ask: "Has anyone ever told you that you are at risk for type 2 diabetes?" when talking to patients at risk. The Diabetes Prevention brochure was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the National Diabetes Education Program.
NDEP estimates that nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes and some 7 million don't know they have it.
Forty percent of the U.S. population ages 40-74 have prediabetes—a condition that can be prevented with reduced fat and calorie intake, increased activity and by losing 7 percent of body weight.
For more information on how to get free resources on diabetes prevention and control, contact the National Diabetes Education Program by phone at 1-800-438-5383 or visit www.ndep.nih.gov  .
|
