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Clayton County Board of Health
November 2012 Health Observances
American Diabetes Month
Diabetes — a metabolic disease caused when the body is unable to break
down blood sugars due to a lack of insulin or insulin resistance — is a growing
epidemic in the United States. According the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, diabetes affects 25.8
million people in the U.S., or 8.3 percent of the US Population (diagnosed and
undiagnosed). The latest local statistics show that 12.4 percent of residents in
Clayton County, Georgia have diagnosed diabetes. Obesity, a major cause of
Type 2 diabetes, affects 34.7 percent of Clayton County residents, according
to 2009 CDC estimates. Diabetes damages the nerves and blood vessels and
can cause a variety of cardiovascular complications. The disease is a major
cause of heart disease and stroke and the leading cause of kidney failure, nontraumatic lower-limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among adults in
the United States.
November is American Diabetes Month. November is a great time to get
educated about diabetes and learn how to reduce your risk factors. There are
several types of diabetes, however the disease usually occurs when something disrupts the body’s ability to turn food
into energy. Here are the most common types of diabetes and what researchers know about their causes:
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Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot make insulin. Without insulin, sugar builds up in your blood
vessels. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin to help get the sugar into the cells. Type 1 diabetes often
starts in younger people or in children. Researchers say that it may occur when something goes wrong with the
immune system.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin; the insulin does not work properly,
or both. Being overweight makes type 2 diabetes more likely to occur. It can happen in a person of any age.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy in some women. Hormone changes during pregnancy can
prevent insulin from working properly. Women with gestational diabetes usually need to take insulin. The
condition may resolve after birth of the child.
CCBOH Recognizes World Diabetes Day
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, actresses Halle Berry and
Salma Hayek, and singer Patti LaBelle are just a few celebrities who have
publically struggled with diabetes. Everyday, however, millions of people
silently struggle with the disease and millions more have the disease, but
are unaware.
November 14 is World Diabetes Day. Due to increasing urbanization,
decreased physical activity, and rapid cultural, social, and dietary changes,
diabetes has become a serious global health problem. Established in 2006 The blue circle, the international symbol for World Diabetes Day, symbolizes life, health, and global unity around the
by the United Nations, World Diabetes Day recognizes diabetes as a
cause of eliminating diabetes.
global issue and works to educate persons on how to recognize the
disease early and prevent its serious health consequences.
The Clayton County Board of Health (CCBOH) is doing its part by hosting its own World Diabetes Day
Recognition on Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. During that time, all Clayton County residents are
invited to participate in free blood sugar testing, taking place at our main facility, located at 1117 Battle Creek
Road in Jonesboro. On that day, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m., CCBOH will offer free “Road to Health”
classes for the general public. “Road to Health” was developed by the CDC in order to help those with diabetes or
diabetes risk factors control and manage their diabetes successfully. “Road to Health” covers exercise, healthy eating,
and practical ways people can take control of their diabetes.
At noon on Nov. 14, the Clayton County Cooperative Extension Office will host a healthy cooking demonstration at the Board of Health (1117 Battle Creek Road in Jonesboro). Residents will be able to see a live chef prepare
easy and delicious meals that can be enjoyed by diabetics and non-diabetics alike.
For more information about World Diabetes Day at CCBOH, contact Joel Hall at (678) 610-7424 or
[email protected].
Think Blue, Wear Blue
On Nov. 14, 2012, employees of the Clayton County Board of Health
will wear the color blue in order to raise awareness about diabetes,
the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States, according to
the CDC. You can help raise awareness too by wearing blue to your
job, planning “Think Blue, Wear Blue” events with your students, and organizing a “Wear Blue” day at your office. You
can help make a difference in the fight against diabetes.
For more information about the “Think Blue, Wear Blue” movement, visit www.idf.org/worlddiabetesday or
www.facebook.com/WDDBlueFridays.
The Clayton County Board of Health 1117 Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro, GA 30236 Ph: (678) 610-7199
www.claytoncountypublichealth.org www.facebook.com/CCBOH www.twitter.com/CCBOH
November 2012 Health Observances
Clayton County Board of Health
Pg. 2
American Diabetes Association’s
Top 10 Diabetes Super Foods
Lowering your risk of diabetes requires regular exercise and awareness
of your personal eating habits. The American Diabetes Association (ADA)
has identified 10 diabetes “super foods” that, if incorporated into a balanced diet, can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and help
diabetics maintain healthy blood sugar levels. All of the foods have a low
glycemic index (GI) and provide key nutrients lacking in the typical western diet, such as calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, and vitamins A, C,
and E.
1. Beans - Whether you prefer kidney, pinto, navy or black beans, they are very high in fiber and are also good
sources of magnesium, and potassium. They are considered starchy vegetables, but a half cup provides as much protein as
an ounce of meat without the saturated fat.
2. Dark Green Leafy Vegetables - Spinach, collards, kale – these powerhouse foods are so low in calories and
carbohydrates that it is difficult to eat too much.
3. Citrus Fruit - Grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes are valuable sources of soluble fiber and vitamin C.
4. Sweet Potatoes - A starchy vegetable packed full of vitamin A and fiber. Try them in place of regular potatoes for
a lower GI alternative.
5. Berries– Blueberries, strawberries, and other berry varieties are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. Make
a parfait alternating the fruit with light, non-fat yogurt for a new favorite dessert.
6. Tomatoes - Whether you like your tomatoes, pureed, raw, or in a sauce, you’re eating vital nutrients like vitamin
C, iron, vitamin E.
7. Fish High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Salmon is a favorite in this category. Stay away from the breaded and deep
fat fried variety... they don’t count in your goal of 6-9 ounces of fish per week.
8. Whole Grains - It’s the germ and bran of the whole grain you’re after. It contains all the nutrients a grain product
has to offer. When you purchase processed grains like bread made from enriched wheat flour, you don’t get these. A few
more of the nutrients these foods offer are magnesium, chromium, omega 3 fatty acids and folate. Pearled barley and
oatmeal are a source of fiber and potassium.
9. Nuts- An ounce of nuts can go a long way in providing key healthy fats along with hunger management. Other benefits are a dose of magnesium and fiber. Some nuts and seeds, such as walnuts and flax seeds, also contain omega-3 fatty
acids.
10. Fat-free Milk and Yogurt - Everyone knows dairy can help build strong bones and teeth. In addition to calcium,
many fortified dairy products are a good source of vitamin D. More research is emerging on the connection between
vitamin D and good health.
World Prematurity Day (Nov. 17)
According to the March of Dimes, one in eight babies in the
United States is born prematurely. Worldwide, 13 million babies
are born too soon each year.
Premature birth costs society more than $26 billion a year and
takes a high toll on families. Many organ systems, including the
brain, lung, and liver, need the final weeks of pregnancy to fully
develop, and babies born just a few weeks early are at risk of
severe health problems and lifelong disabilities. Premature birth is
the leading cause of newborn deaths.
World Prematurity Day is celebrated on Nov. 17 to honor the lives of the approximately one million premature
babies who died in the past year and the 12 million more who struggle to survive. It is also a time to educate potential
parents about how they can reduce their risk of delivering prematurely, such as: Avoiding smoking, second-hand smoke,
drugs, and alcohol during and before pregnancy; taking a multiple vitamin with folic acid; and making regular perinatal
healthcare visits if you believe you may be pregnant.
To learn more about World Prematurity Day, visit www.marchdimes.com or ‘like’ the World Prematurity Day page
on Facebook. There, you can read stories from around the world and share your own. Together we can raise awareness of this serious problem and help more babies live healthy lives.
The Great American Smokeout (Nov. 15, 2012)
On the third Thursday of November (Nov. 15, 2012), the American Cancer
Society will mark its 37th Great American Smokeout by encouraging smokers to
use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that
day. By doing so, smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life
– one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.
Tobacco use remains the single-largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S., yet more than 45 million Americans still smoke cigarettes. More than half of these smokers have attempted to quit for at least one
day in the past year. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in
the U.S., and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes.
Quitting is hard, but you can increase your chances of success with help. The
American Cancer Society can tell you about steps you can take to quit smoking
and offer resources and support that can increase your chances of quitting successfully. To learn about the available tools, call the Georgia Tobacco Quit
Line at 1-877-270-STOP (7867) or visit www.cancer.org/smokeout.
The Clayton County Board of Health 1117 Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro, GA 30236 Ph: (678) 610-7199
www.claytoncountypublichealth.org www.facebook.com/CCBOH www.twitter.com/CCBOH