May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a great time to reflect on AAPI cultures and history. Most importantly, this month gives us an opportunity to examine the current health conditions and concerns in the AAPI community and ways to improve the well-being of future generations.

We know that the AAPI community is at higher risk of diabetes—about 30 percent more likely than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. This community faces additional challenges to prevention and care, including cultural competency of providers, language access and affordability of coverage and care. The American Diabetes Association works to support AAPIs with diabetes through our Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Initiative and our Asian Pacific American Diabetes Action Council. We also work to advocate for prevention, research, and access to care, and to end discrimination for all people living with diabetes.

This month, I’d like to highlight a growing health condition in this community: gestational diabetes. This disease occurs when the body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes poses serious health risks to both mother and child and puts both at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Asian American women are at highest risk to develop gestational diabetes—about 177 percent more likely than non-Hispanic whites.

The Association recommends that all pregnant women are screened for the disease during weeks 24-28 of pregnancy. Despite this recommendation, one out of three pregnant women never gets tested and, of the women diagnosed with gestational diabetes, only one in five receive the appropriate follow-up test postpartum.

As a doctor, I am very familiar with the risks women face when they develop gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. However, those risks took on new meaning for me when I developed gestational diabetes during my own pregnancy. Knowing the possibilities of future risk to me and my children, I am motivated to find a way to address this vital health issue. Yet while the need to find a focused way of addressing gestational diabetes has become clear to me, minimal effort is being put into public health research around it, and into tracking women with it or those at risk of developing it.

The risks of gestational diabetes are not limited to the Asian American population. About 18 percent of all pregnancies are burdened by this disease, and a heavy impact is also felt in the Latino community. We need to find a way to educate women in these vulnerable communities about this disease and its potential long-term impact for both mother and child.

In an effort to continue to raise awareness and resources for this disease, I would like to highlight and urge everyone to support the Gestational Diabetes (GEDI) Act of 2013 (HR 1915/S. 907). This act seeks to lower the incidence of gestational diabetes and prevent women afflicted with this condition, and their children, from developing type 2 diabetes later in life. The bill would provide important resources to support better health for moms and their babies by establishing a tracking and surveillance system for gestational diabetes and providing research funding to help understand which women are at greatest risk and how to prevent the disease and its reoccurrence. Please urge your Members of Congress to support more research on gestational diabetes by cosponsoring this legislation. Click here to voice your support for America’s moms and babies.

This Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, let’s all support efforts to improve the health of this and other at-risk communities! To take action on this issue, send an email to your congressional representative, or call 1-888-661-3208 to speak to your Senator or 1-877-803-2936 to speak to your Representative. With your help, we can move forward with increasing research for gestational diabetes!

Ho Luong Tran, MD, MPH, is the Vice Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Action Council, American Diabetes Association, and serves as the President/CEO of the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians.  Dr. Tran has been recognized as a visionary administrator with more than 20 years of experience leading innovative legislative, policy and community initiatives. She served as a member of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is a pediatrician. 

Lasagna. French toast. Cheesy spinach and artichoke dip. (Mmm!) We all have our go-to recipes for entertaining or just plain indulging. Many have been handed down from family and friends, or bookmarked in a favorite cookbook or recipe website. It’s nice to have a reliable, even signature, dish to turn to for special occasions!

But do any of your beloved recipes leave you feeling a little guilty? Some of the most popular foods just don’t work for people with diabetes, or anyone looking to eat healthfully.

Luckily, Diabetes Forecast magazine is here to help! In the magazine’s “Makeover Favorite” column, Food Editor Robyn Webb, MS, LN, reworks readers’ favorite comfort food recipes that are in need of a few tweaks. Each issue she provides a healthier, yet just as delicious, recipe to enjoy.

Have a recipe for Robyn to tackle? Send an email to forecasteditor@diabetes.org and include a complete ingredient list and complete instructions, along with your name, city and state. (No commercial or professional recipes, please.) Your family favorite may end up in the magazine and on the website for others to enjoy!

Remember that “diabetizing” a dish doesn’t automatically mean it meets your health care provider’s recommendations — so make sure to work these recipes into your meal plan, just as you would any other food. But when you feel the need to treat yourself, this collection might help you do so more mindfully.

Here’s a delicious sampling of the recipes Robyn has made over in the last few months. You can view more modified recipes on the “Diabetize Your Recipe” section of Diabetes Forecast’s website, and catch them every month in the magazine. Enjoy!

Cinnamon Rolls with Raisins: The original recipe made eight rolls—at a whopping 1,105 calories and 47 grams of fat each! Robyn’s version clocks in with 30 servings at 150 calories and 2.5 fat grams each.

Breakfast Muffin Sandwich: This meal may be as close as your nearest drive-through, but such convenience comes loaded with extra fat and sodium. It takes less than 10 minutes to make your own. Treat yourself to a fast, healthful version at home by adding fiber and cutting fat.

Classic Mac ’n’ Cheese: The ultimate comfort food! This creamy, cheesy, crunchy classic, adapted from Robyn’s book The Diabetes Comfort Food Cookbook, may become your new family favorite.

Hot Crab Dip Delight: Rich, luscious crab dip is a crowd pleaser at summer gatherings. Now you can feel good about offering a much more healthful version to your family and friends.

Families across the country celebrated their mothers on Sunday. And for good reason—we can always count on the important women in our lives to be there for us!

Between work, home and family, women tend to juggle a lot of responsibilities to keep things running smoothly. But who’s looking out for mom amidst all the carpooling and errand-running, the business meetings and the lunch-packing?

Mother’s Day also kicked off National Women’s Health Week, an effort to empower women to make their health a priority and encourage them to take steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases, including diabetes. After all, we want them to stay healthy!

Diabetes can be especially tough on women. For starters, it affects both pregnant women and their unborn babies. Studies also show women with diabetes are at higher risk for developing depression and some other complications than men—despite the fact that women typically have longer life expectancies. Let’s take a quick look at what makes women so special when it comes to diabetes.

Gestational diabetes: Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood glucose levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. It affects up to 18 percent of all pregnancies and puts both mothers and their babies at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

There is something you can do to help these moms and their babies have a chance at a healthier life.  Join the American Diabetes Association in urging Congress to support the Gestational Diabetes Act, a bill that provides funding to expand public health research to help reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes. Click here to make your voice heard!

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS consists of some or all of the following: cysts on the ovaries, irregular periods, infertility and abnormal face or body hair growth. Because many women with PCOS also have diabetes, studies are examining the relationship between PCOS and insulin resistance. There is no cure for PCOS, so it needs to be managed through weight loss to prevent further problems.

Menopause: Menopause and the years leading up to it, when your body gradually produces less estrogen and progesterone (perimenopause), may present unique challenges if you have diabetes. How these hormonal changes affect blood glucose may vary depending on the individual. Many women, however, notice that their blood glucose levels are more variable and less predictable than before.

Mental health: The rate of depression in people with diabetes is much higher than in the general population. Women experience depression about twice as often as men, and the risk of depression increases in women with diabetes. Many hormonal factors may contribute to this—such as as menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, miscarriage, the postpartum period and menopause. Many women also face additional stresses, such as responsibilities both at work and home, single parenthood and caring for children and for aging parents.

Eating disorders: Research suggests that eating disorders are more common among women with diabetes than women who do not have diabetes. Bulimia is the most common eating disorder in women with type 1 diabetes. Among women with type 2 diabetes, binge eating is more common. While eating disorders are serious, potentially life threatening illnesses, there is help available and recovery is possible.

So what’s a girl with diabetes to do? Women with diabetes need to watch out for themselves, and their families (and health care team!) need to watch out for them. A good place to start is our Coping with Diabetes handbook, a colorful, 11-page booklet for women with diabetes and their families that focuses on five steps to emotional well-being. Call 1-800-342-2383 today for your free copy!

Ryan Reed and his Drive to Stop Diabetes racecar!

Ryan Reed has been racing since the age of four. Yet, two years ago, when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 17, he was told he would never be able to race again. This was unacceptable to the young man who was determined to not have his dreams taken away from him and to live life to the fullest. Well, Ryan is back on the race track and the American Diabetes Association has teamed up with him for the Drive to Stop Diabetes℠ awareness campaign!

As part of this exciting effort, Ryan will compete in numerous NASCAR Nationwide Series races throughout the year driving the No. 16 Ford Mustang, which features a Drive to Stop Diabetes paint scheme. The campaign will also include numerous awareness and educational efforts throughout the year at NASCAR Nationwide races, plus several off-track health and wellness initiatives.

His first race in the Drive to Stop Diabetes car was April 26, 2013, at the Richmond International Raceway, where he exceeded expectations and captivated fans with his victory over diabetes. And, as a bonus, on his way to the race in Richmond, Ryan took the time to stop at the Association’s Home Office in Alexandria, Va., for a meet-and-greet with staff to show everyone his new set of wheels!

Now a passionate advocate for diabetes awareness, Ryan started his own foundation, Ryan’s Mission, to educate people about diabetes. Through this foundation, 100 percent of all money raised will be donated to the Association. The Association is thrilled to be in the fast lane with Ryan, and Ryan is excited as well to have the opportunity to use his voice to show how you can be victorious against diabetes.

“I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to not only be able to drive for the most winning NASCAR team, but also have the opportunity to help other people by educating them and letting them know that life has no limits!” Ryan said.

Thanks, Ryan! We look forward to following your career as you Drive to Stop Diabetes!

Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle for everyone, and it’s especially important for those with diabetes. Most people with diabetes find regular activity to be an essential part of their health care. It can help manage your blood glucose, preventing diabetic complications and even delaying the onset of type 2 if you have prediabetes.

But the thought of exercising daily can be daunting if it isn’t already part of your routine. What activity should you try, and how much? Will you need new clothes or equipment? And when are you ever going to find time for it in your busy schedule?

Rest assured, exercise doesn’t necessarily mean running a marathon or bench-pressing 300 pounds. The key is to start slow—soon, momentum will follow. Follow these tips to get moving and stay on track!

Choose activities that fit you and your lifestyle: Anything that increases your heart rate and causes you to break a light sweat can count as exercise, so get creative! Many people simply add extra walking to their day. The goal is to get active and stay active by doing things you enjoy, from gardening to playing tennis to walking with friends. The more engaged you are, the more likely you are to stick with it.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can talk to your health care team about which activities will be safe for you. Their advice will depend on the condition of your heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, feet and nervous system. Your provider may even recommend local classes or exercise groups that you could join.

You know yourself and your situation best. Would you prefer a solo workout such as jogging, or a group setting like a spinning class or softball league? Do you prefer the great outdoors or to watch TV as you crank away on an elliptical machine? Do you have time for a leisurely one-hour walk or would a shorter, higher-intensity workout fit better in your schedule? If you’re on a budget, consider sticking to something like walking, which only requires a good pair of shoes, or an inexpensive workout DVD you can use at home.

If you dread lacing up your sneakers every morning or that post-work drive to the gym, you may need to try something new. And don’t limit yourself to just one activity; variety can keep boredom at bay.

Find your motivation: If you aren’t in the habit of exercising, getting motivated is half the battle. Whenever you feel the urge to skip a workout, think about the reason you’re exercising, whether it’s to have more energy, to lose or maintain weight, to relieve stress, to enhance your self-esteem, or to improve your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Sometimes if you simply commit to getting to the gym, or setting the treadmill for a mere 10 minutes, you’ll keep going and complete your normal workout. Remind yourself that you’ve done this before and can do it again—and perhaps then some!

Plan for success: People with prediabetes or diabetes, and the general adult public should aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise on most days. Set yourself up for success by marking each workout on your calendar, just as you would any other commitment. If you’re a morning exerciser, set your clothes out the night before so you can change into them as soon as you wake up. If you have a gym membership, always pack a bag when you leave the house—no excuses!

Are you a music lover? Fill your portable media player with tunes that you love, that inspire you and that have a good beat. The minutes will fly by as you enjoy your personalized workout playlist!

Track your progress, be patient and enjoy the results:  Your goal may be to complete a 5K, or simply be better able to pick up and carry your children or grandchildren. Log your activity and progress in a notebook, calendar, spreadsheet, cell phone or online activity tracker. Results won’t happen overnight, and this history will help demonstrate how far you’ve come.

Once you get moving, you’ll find that it isn’t as hard to keep going—especially since you’ll feel better and more energetic as time goes on. After a few weeks of regular exercise, you may even start craving the exhilaration that comes with it and join the ranks of many others who have said, “I never thought I’d ever be a runner, cyclist, swimmer, Zumba addict, Pilates devotee, _____.” (How would YOU fill in the blank?)

What’s your favorite form of exercise? What motivates you to keep moving?

In 2006, Mari Ruddy rode in her local Tour de Cure and wondered, “Where are all the riders with diabetes?”

As someone living with type 1 diabetes, she wanted to meet others like her and celebrate everyone who was taking control of their health by participating in this nationwide series of cycling events, which benefits the American Diabetes Association.

So in 2007, Mari Ruddy, Sandria Barrett and Marcey Robinson came up with the idea of the Red Riders and made it come to life at the Denver Tour de Cure. Now Red Riders and Team Red (made up of Red Riders and those who support them) are a part of every Tour de Cure event!

In 2013, more than 65,000 cyclists are expected to participate in 90 Tour de Cure events throughout the country. All funds raised support the Association’s mission: To prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

We interviewed Mari about her experience with diabetes, her vision, the evolution of the Red Riders—and why she wants YOU to ride to Stop Diabetes^®.

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Thanks for “dropping by” Diabetes Stops Here! Tell us about what inspires you to be so involved with the Association.

In my 31 years of living with diabetes, I have walked, run and cycled for the cure for diabetes. But for the longest time, I was never asked to declare myself as a diabetes-surviving person at these events. I was never given a special t-shirt or water bottle. There was never a special finish line acknowledging the courage, perseverance and sheer determination it takes to live with diabetes and be out on that course riding, running or walking.

I wanted this to change, and that’s why I founded the Red Rider program. Its purpose is to support everyone who lives with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and showcase the courage it takes to live every day with this difficult disease.

Receiving that recognition on the day of the Tour gives me and my fellow people with diabetes the motivation to continue seeing the glass half full on the days when our blood glucose soars to 400 for no explainable reason, or when we have no desire to eat but we must or risk passing out if we don’t.

The Tour de Cure is a beautiful celebration of health for all of us who want to change the future of diabetes. And the Association—through its information, programs, events, research and advocacy—works to Stop Diabetes every day. I’m so happy to be a part of it.

Why cycling?

Well, for the record, any type of exercise is a good thing, whether you have diabetes or not. I happen to really like cycling, but I’ve also been known to walk and run too!

Cycling can be a good choice of exercise because it’s continuous and non-impact. It’s a sport you can participate in from the time you are very young until you’re very old. You can ride almost anywhere: in your neighborhood, on the road or on bike paths. It’s a great way to explore new areas and take in the scenery! You can even cycle indoors, if you’re into spinning classes.

I know how important it is to stay strong and healthy, and cycling is one positive way to do that.

What would you say to someone who learns about Tour de Cure but says, “But I’m new to diabetes” or “I haven’t ridden a bike in ages”?

You are not alone! You can ride to thrive with diabetes! With hundreds of riders who may share a similar story, and hundreds more to support you, being a Red Rider can help with your first mile or your millionth—in your fight to live a healthier life!

The Tour is a ride for any individual or team who wants to enjoy a great day of cycling and, at the same time, Stop Diabetes. It’s a ride, not a race. So join in and spend a day biking with your friends, family or coworkers! And the routes vary in length, from 5 miles to 100 miles, so you can pick the course that best suits you.

Look, I have lived with type 1 diabetes since I was 16. That’s more than 30 years of blood testing, shots, insulin pumping, carb counting and meal planning. If that wasn’t enough, I have twice been diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of living with diabetes, I thought I understood illness. However, chemo, radiation and surgery all knocked me down harder than I ever imagined possible. But my lot in life is to get back up no matter the punch.

I know how much courage it takes for those of us with diabetes to get on a bike and be a warrior for health. Living with diabetes and being an endurance athlete, which you essentially are when you ride in the Tour de Cure, is not easy. But the things that athletes have to do—eat well, exercise, track everything, take care of yourself—are all things people with diabetes have to do. It’s a very natural fit, in my opinion. So hop on that bike already!

How does your TeamWILD connect to Tour de Cure?

TeamWILD Athletics is all about empowering people with diabetes to take charge of their health by teaching how to be an athlete first, and a person with diabetes second. The WILD stands for “We Inspire Life with Diabetes”! I started TeamWILD because I saw the need for people with diabetes to have access to expert insight and coaching on how to manage diabetes when doing endurance athletics.

Once you are registered for the Tour de Cure you will receive access to some online TeamWILD cycling training materials created specifically for cyclists who live with diabetes. I want all of us to be able to ride long and strong at the Tour de Cure rides! Red Riders and TeamWILD go together.

One final message to this year’s Tour participants and your Red Riders?

Remember to yell “Go Red Rider!” to every cyclist you see wearing the Red Rider jersey! It makes all the difference. It means, “I see you for your courage and strength to take care of your health.” (But that’s too long to say, so just yell, “Go Red Rider!”)

See you on the road!

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Catch Mari at these upcoming Tour de Cure events:

June 1
Twin Cities, MN
Ride

June 8-9
Chicago, IL
Champions Dinner – keynote & ride

June 14-15
Brighton, MI
Champions Dinner – keynote & ride

August 18
Denver, CO
Ride

Educating Arizona Law Enforcement about Diabetes Emergencies

The Association works hard to make sure people in police custody and correctional institutions have access to appropriate medical care.

In March 2012, the Northern Arizona Advocacy Committee contacted 67 law enforcement agencies and prison systems through personal visits, phone, email and mail to help educate the staff about diabetes-related emergencies. Committee members sought to distribute the Association’s “Treating Diabetes Emergencies: What Police Officers Need to Know” DVD and poster.

Due to these efforts, 23 agencies to date have requested the DVD and poster(s) for staff training and display in their common areas. The requests have come from some of the largest agencies and systems in Arizona, as well as from rural areas of the state.

The proactive nature of this program initiative is what makes it stand out as a success. Rather than reacting to an altercation or case of neglect related to a diabetes emergency, the committee is building a relationship of mutual respect with these agencies and systems out of regard for the safety of both their personnel and the public. Thank you for going above and beyond!

Interested in watching the training video? See here:

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The Association’s Live Empowered! Task Force from Miami-Dade.

Living Empowered in Miami-Dade

In 2012 our Miami-Dade office sought to expand the reach of the Association’s Live Empowered! education program to the local African-American community. This program offers a a targeted approach to increasing the awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and emphasizing the importance of making good lifestyle choices such as moving more and eating healthier. In the Miami-Dade area, diabetes rates are highest among non-Hispanic blacks, with more than 14.1% affected by diabetes.

The vision was to grow the Live Empowered! program by recruiting key volunteers and forming a task force to help the Association enhance the program’s effectiveness. First, the Live Empowered! Task Force assisted in securing a pastor to endorse the program. Together they hosted the first Miami-Dade Pastor Reception. As a result, 25 new churches were signed to the Live Empowered! program, which originally only included 20 Church ID Days (a nationwide movement to Stop Diabetes® as part of American Diabetes Month in November).

These efforts have also attracted sustainable relationships with key organizations in Miami-Dade, such as Fresh Start and the Health Choice Network. Fresh Start CHWs  now use the Live Empowered! program as their primary diabetes education platform.

We’re grateful to these volunteers for spreading the word about diabetes to improve their community!

Ewa Makai Middle School PSA winners

It’s National Volunteer Appreciation Week and the American Diabetes Association is celebrating service for people touched by diabetes. We can’t accomplish our mission without volunteers, and one way we thank them is through our annual Stop Diabetes Community Awards. These 2012 winners demonstrate what volunteering for a great cause is all about!

American Diabetes Association of Hawaii launches PSA contest

Roosevelt High School PSA winners

In 2011, the Association’s Youth and Family Link Subcommittee in Hawaii received funding support from The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu and launched its first-ever “Diabetes Is…” Video/PSA Contest. It was open to any student (6th through 12th graders) at any accredited public, private, charter or home school in the state.

The Association provided tech coordinators with contest rules to incorporate into their curriculum. Video/PSA entries were to focus on one or both of the following: 1) diabetes awareness and prevention and 2) everyday life with diabetes.

Winning entries were announced and featured at the Hawaii Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes on March 17, 2012.

Fan Favorite: “Diabetes Is… Controllable” by the talented students of Ewa Makai Middle School

Judge’s Pick: “Diabetes Is… A Life Changer” by the equally talented students at Roosevelt High School

Great work, kids! The 2013 contest winners were just announced; see more at: http://www.youtube.com/adahawaii

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Keeping Louisiana Children with Diabetes Safe at School

Louisiana Advocacy Chair Eloise Keene accepts her Stop Diabetes Award with John Guzzardo, executive director for the Association’s Louisiana office.

In June 2012, Louisiana became the 29th state to have a Safe at School bill, a key piece of legislation in the fight to keep children with diabetes safe at school. Covering every aspect of the model legislation, this bill passed with overwhelming support.

This bill allows school employees to volunteer to be trained to help children with diabetes with essential care tasks. These tasks include administering insulin, which is needed multiple times a day, and glucagon, a hormone needed in the case of dangerously low blood glucose levels. This bill also allows children to self-manage their diabetes while at school if they are capable of doing so.

To increase awareness about the importance of this legislation, diabetes advocates sent letters, made calls of support and worked countless hours at the state capital lobbying legislators.

Thanks to the volunteers who helped make this happen! Now, Louisiana’s children can be safe at school.

A little rain doesn’t stop Nick from his training!

March 15, 2013, was a special date for me. That Friday, just about a month ago, marked three years since I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

I was only 16 at the time (it was actually the week of my high school’s annual spring musical!) but my family, friends and coworkers really jumped in to learn everything they could about diabetes and offer amazing support, which continues to this day. Diabetes has definitely changed my life, but the good news is that I am managing well. I’m now a happy, independent 20-year-old college student.

One of my friends, Dana Grant, is a big cyclist. It was she who had the idea that we should ride to Stop Diabetes^® in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure. I consider myself to be a recreational rider at best, but Dana convinced me that the Tour de Cure is a ride, not a race.

So on Sunday, May 26, I will be travelling to Chicago, about 40 miles from my hometown of Plainfield, Ill., to ride in the MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive. Together with our dads, Dana and I have formed a team called the RED CUREsaders! The 30-mile route will take us along Chicago’s scenic Lake Shore Drive. Here’s hoping for some great weather to go along with those beautiful views of Lake Michigan!

We’re following the official training guide, and so far so good! I have adjusted to the additional exercise by simply being prepared with healthy snacks and a sports drink in case I go low during a practice ride.

On my diabetes anniversary, March 15, I put out a little YouTube video explaining why I’m riding this year. The RED CUREsaders soon exceeded our $750 team fundraising goal and raised it to $1000 (thank so much to everyone who donated!). It’s difficult to even place a value on our goal or on individual donations, because I know each dollar brings us closer to stopping diabetes.

I may be my friends’ and family’s connection to Tour de Cure, but this ride is not just for me, it’s for all people affected by diabetes. I want to increase general awareness and understanding of this disease through education and support. I was the first person in my family to be diagnosed with diabetes, and wow, there is just so much to learn.

So wish me luck on May 26! Donning my Red Rider jersey, I’ll be riding alongside Dana and our fathers. And my mom and brother will be there to cheer us on at the finish line. I hope to tweet and post Facebook updates along the way (safely, I promise!). I’ll ride knowing that, whether in person or virtually, all the people who care about me are right there behind me, giving the same outstanding support I have known for three years and counting.

Watch the homemade video that started it all!

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Ready to ride to Stop Diabetes like Nick? Find a Tour de Cure event near you and sign up!

How much do doctors and researchers know about type 1 diabetes? What’s left to discover? And how can this information best be used to help patients with type 1 live long, healthy lives?

The American Diabetes Association and JDRF have teamed up on a new book that will help health care providers understand exactly that: The best and most recent research on how to diagnose and treat type 1 diabetes, as well as where the biggest gaps lie in our knowledge. Type 1 diabetes is growing at epidemic proportions in the United States and around the world; the number of youth diagnosed annually has doubled in the last 25 years, and it is expected to double yet again in the next 15 to 20 years.

The American Diabetes Association/JDRF Type 1 Diabetes Sourcebook serves as both an evidence-based reference outlining the most critical components of care for individuals with type 1 diabetes throughout their entire lives. It also reviews the evidence supporting this care and provides a perspective on the critical areas of research that are needed to improve our understanding of type 1 diabetes diagnosis and treatment.

Roughly 5 to 10 percent of the nearly 26 million Americans with diabetes have type 1 diabetes, which is typically (though not always) diagnosed in childhood. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body can no longer produce insulin—as compared to type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use the insulin it does produce. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and being overweight, whereas type 1 diabetes is not linked to weight.

The book addresses focuses on knowledge of type 1 diabetes, as most clinical standards of care are based largely on what experts know about type 2 diabetes, because it is the most common form of the disease. However, type 1 and type 2, while similar, are not identical diseases and do not call for identical treatment, nor are prevention strategies the same. For example, people with type 1 diabetes, who are on insulin, may need to test their blood glucose levels 10 times or more a day, whereas someone with type 2 diabetes would likely need to test less often.

While researchers remain hopeful about advances that will eventually help prevent type 1 diabetes, the book also highlights the need to provide the best possible care using what is already known, to avoid complications and improve quality of life for all people with type 1 diabetes.

Funding for the development of the Type 1 Diabetes Sourcebook came from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. It was co-edited by Anne L. Peters, MD, and Lori Laffel, MD, MPH. Dr. Peters is the Director of the University of Southern California Clinical Diabetes Program. Dr. Laffel is Chief of the Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Section at the Joslin Clinic and an Investigator in the Section on Genetics and Epidemiology at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, as well as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.

To develop the content, Peters and Laffel assembled an editorial steering committee of prominent research physicians, clinicians and educators. In addition, Jane Chiang, MD, joined the project as managing editor to help the authors write and focus their chapters. Just this week, Dr. Chiang joined the Association as our new Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs and Community Information.

With this new publication, diabetes care providers have a definitive roadmap based on the best available information to support the health needs of ALL people with type 1, so they can lead the healthiest lives possible. Here’s to living well with diabetes!