Diabetes

Menstuff® is actively compiling information, books and resources on the issue of diabetes.

Background
Statistics
Obesity
Newsbytes
Resources, Videos

Background

Blind diabetics and those losing vision can continue to be independent. The blind can and do accurately draw up insulin, monitor blood glucose levels, etc. Limitations are usually self-imposed, and often all that is needed to overcome negative thinking is simply to know where to go for information. This list of products helps diabetics to self-manage their diabetes. Some equipment (i.e. audio output devices) has been adapted for the blind. By using alternative techniques an products, the blind can control their diabetes as efficiently as do their sighted peers.

The Diabetes Action Network, a division of the National Federation of the Blind (www.nfb.org) is a support and information network for all diabetics, especially those who are blind or losing vision. Many of their members have experienced ramifications of diabetes such as blindness, amputation, nerve damage, heart problems, kidney disease, etc. Others have experienced no chronic complications, but want to utilize their services, learn more about diabetes, and be part of a caring support group. In addition to reaching out to fellow diabetics who may be finding it difficult to cope with problems that accompany diabetes, they provide support and information to interested persons.

The principal medium of their support network is their free quarterly news magazine, Voice of the Diabetic. Each issue contains personal, candid stories written by diabetics, friends, health care professionals and others who share experiences and expertise on diabetes and its complications. Emphasizing the importance of good diabetes control, proper diet, and independence, this upbeat outreach publication shows diabetics that they have options regardless of the side effects of diabetes. Regular features include a medical Q and A column, a "Recipe Corner," and a resource column of aids and appliances.

Members of the Diabetes Action Network enjoy priority services and unique benefits such as: free subscription to the Voice, automatic access to committees covering all aspects of diabetes, free counseling concerning all facets of blindness and diabetes as well as access to diabetics who have experienced complications.

Statistics

The January 1, 1998 edition, of Voice of the Diabetic, Vol. 13, No. 1, reached more than 214,000 readers, almost 8% of whom are health professionals. Late in 1997, a 5000+ sample of these readers were polled. From the 637 responses received, they derived the following profile:

90% of respondents indicated they have diabetes.
89% said they had some form of health insurance.
82% said they regularly test blood glucose.
64% said they had experienced diabetes complications.
62% said they use insulin.
36% said they use oral diabetes medications.
15% identified themselves as health professionals.

Diabetes affects all ages, but approximately 90% of documented cases (according to national statistics) are of Type 2, the "adult onset" variety. Because of this, we can expect a heavy skew toward mature individuals, and here it is:

0.5% of respondents said they were under 21 years of age.
6% said they were between 22 and 35 years of age.
27% said they were between 36 and 50 years of age.
33% said they were between 51 and 65 years of age.
32% said they were 66 years or older.

Our household income profile resembles the income profile for the nation as a whole. Remembering that diabetes hits especially hard among ethnic minorities, and those who fall into lower income brackets, we can expect a curve biased toward the lower end of the scale:

31% of respondents said they took in less than $15,000 per year.
27% said they made between $15,000 and $30,000 per year.
17% said they made between $31,000 and $45,000 per year.
9% said they made between $46,000 and $60,000 per year.
7% said they made above $61,000 per year.

It is not a glamorous picture, but diabetes is not a glamorous disease. Our readers are real working people, from every state and U.S. Territory. Not faddists or trend-chasers, they are looking for real answers to the problems their condition imposes.

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We are not sensible of the most perfect health, as we are of the least sickness. - Michel de Montaigne

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