Honor World Diabetes Day by Knowing Your Numbers

Jackson, Miss. — The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) wants you to recognize World Diabetes Day today – November 14 – by getting to Know Your Numbers.

Knowing your numbers – cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index – is an important proactive step you should take to reduce your chances of developing diabetes and other major chronic illnesses that disproportionately affect Mississippians.

Mississippi ranks second in the United States for diabetes prevalence, with 21,000 diagnosed each year. In 2022, the diabetes mortality rate in the state was 34.7 per 100,000.

The chronic disease affects the way the body uses food by causing sugar levels in the blood to be too high. Over time, high blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputations.

But you're not destined to develop the disease; diabetes can be prevented. Protect your health by getting screened at your local health department at no cost. Screening can detect higher than normal blood sugar (pre-diabetes) before it develops into diabetes. If you have pre-diabetes, reduce your risk of developing the disease by losing weight, becoming more active and eating a healthier diet.

If you already have diabetes, you can take steps now to manage it by using one of our self-management training programs that empower you to take control of your health. For more information, visit msdh.ms.gov/freedom. If you have pre-diabetes, visit msdh.ms.gov/ICAN.

You can also take a one-minute test to find out if you're at risk for pre-diabetes. Visit this link now to take the test: doihaveprediabetes.org

World Diabetes Day raises awareness of the condition as a global public health issue, emphasizing the collective and individual actions needed for its prevention, diagnosis and management.