Diabetes does not discriminate with age. Though adults aged 45–64 receive the majority of new diabetes diagnoses in the U.S., the country has also seen increases in disease prevalence among those 18-44. Most people who develop diabetes as adults develop type 2 diabetes. Even more concerning is that nearly 90% of those who have prediabetes, and thus have an increased risk of developing the disease, aren’t aware they have it.
As a clinician who’s seen just how severely this stealthy disease can impact health and quality of life at any age, I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing your numbers, being proactive in getting the proper screenings, and taking the necessary steps to prevent diabetes — and the many other complications and chronic diseases associated with it — early on.
Be proactive: Know your numbers, know your risk
From race and ethnicity, to genetics, weight and more, knowing your risk factors is the first and best step you can take in preventive measures to mitigate your risk of developing diabetes.
One of the top risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes is race and ethnicity. Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased mortality in ethnically diverse populations, specifically Hispanics and African Americans. Both Hispanic and African American adults are 60% more likely than non-Hispanic and non-African American white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes by a physician, with both populations being more likely to die or be hospitalized for the treatment of end-stage kidney disease related to diabetes.
Lifestyle choices, such as a diet high in processed foods and sugar as well as a lack of exercise, that contribute to obesity also increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Kickstarting lifestyle changes that prioritize physical activity and promote a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do to manage type 2 diabetes. Modifications such as modest weight reduction (5-10% of baseline weight) and increased physical activity to at least 150 minutes per week can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by more than 50%.
Know your diabetes status: Get screened early
It is recommended to start getting screened for prediabetes at age 35, especially if you have any of the above risk factors.
As part of Signify Health’s In-Home Health Evaluations (IHEs), our clinicians administer the recommended diabetes screenings while providing the personalized support and guidance you need to prevent diabetes complications and better manage your health.
Beyond the diagnostic and preventive screenings for chronic diseases like diabetes, our clinicians monitor your medication adherence and health status, while answering any questions you may have about your conditions. For people living with diabetes, these in-home screenings and services can be critical. As many as 60% of people with elevated HbA1c levels, for example, are not adherent to their treatment plan.
Both Signify Health’s IHEs and the recently announced diabetes Focused Visits are designed to be supplementary to a doctor's office visit, help close quality care gaps, slow chronic disease progression with education and customized care planning, and reduce hospitalizations and readmissions – all from the convenience and comfort of a health plan member’s home and at no charge to the member.
Just as important as knowing your risks when it comes to diabetes is knowing the measures you can take to prevent and manage the disease. Some strategies to stay as healthy as possible and prevent diabetes and other chronic diseases include:
- Make healthy food choices.
- Walk and integrate other forms of exercise into your daily routine.
- Stop smoking.
- Track your glucose levels.
- Get preventative testing and screening for kidneys, blood pressure, cholesterol and cancer.
- If you have diabetes, work with your primary care provider to develop and follow a diabetes care plan.
If you or a loved one is interested in taking the first step to managing diabetes risks, visit our self-scheduling portal to see if you’re eligible for an In-Home Health Evaluation.