Statewide organizations join forces to fight diabetes

Released on = January 24, 2005, 11:26 am

Press Release Author = Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR)

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = Nov. 17, 2004 -- November is National Diabetes Month, and to help address the burden of diabetes in Georgia, the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Georgia Diabetes Coalition are presenting a conference for health professionals who work in the field of diabetes-related care.

Press Release Body = ATLANTA (GA) – November is National Diabetes Month, and to help address the burden of diabetes in Georgia, the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Georgia Diabetes Coalition are presenting a conference for health professionals who work in the field of diabetes-related care.

The purpose of the conference, which takes place November 18-19, 2004, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Macon, is to keep health professionals current on diabetes research and information, clinical guidelines and trends in the treatment of diabetes.

“This conference provides the latest scientific research and gives our partners a valuable opportunity to network with other individuals who are committed to improving the lives of people with diabetes,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., director of the DHR Division of Public Health. “These partnerships are vital to the work that must be done to create a healthier Georgia.” During the conference, DHR will release its strategic plan for addressing the burden of diabetes in Georgia over the next five years.

Featured speakers include Dr. Guillermo Umpierrez from Emory University School of Medicine and Dr. Frank Vinicor from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sessions on childhood obesity, cultural and ethnic approaches to diabetes care, proper foot care, and the link between diabetes and heart disease will be presented during the two-day event.

According to the American Diabetes Association, 18.2 million people in the United States have diabetes, and in 2003, diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death in Georgia. Diabetes can contribute to blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputations, heart disease, impotence, periodontal disease and premature death and disability. DHR is seeking to increase public awareness and to promote a greater understanding of diabetes and diabetes-related illnesses, which affect thousands of Georgians each year.

The three main types of diabetes are type-1 diabetes, type-2 diabetes, and
gestational diabetes. Symptoms of type-1 diabetes may include dry skin, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss and a thin, malnourished appearance. Symptoms of type-2 diabetes include fatigue, nausea, frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections of skin, mouth or bladder, sores or cuts that are slow to heal and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing type-2 diabetes within 10 years. Although there is no cure for diabetes yet, with early diagnosis and careful monitoring, the disease can be controlled.

For more information about diabetes and related risk factors, contact the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES or visit www.diabetes.org. For more information on the conference, or to register, visit www2.state.ga.us/departments/dhr/ohrmd/Training/conferences.html

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Web Site = www2.state.ga.us/departments/dhr/ohrmd/Training/conferences.html

Contact Details = For information, contact:
Richard Quarterone
DHR, Division of Public Health
404/463-4627
rquartarone@dhr.state.ga.us