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Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. has declared today as Diabetes Alert Day to focus attention on a disease that is both prevalent and preventable in the Virgin Islands.
Since the territory’s residents suffer from diabetes at an extremely high rate, and many Virgin Islanders are not properly diagnosed or treated for the disease, de Jongh said Tuesday he has made diabetes education a top priority of the
V.I. Department of Health. “Diabetes is perhaps this territory’s greatest public health threat. Virgin Islanders have disproportionately high rates of the disease, and as a community we must work to confront it. That requires knowledge, and for many people, a change in mindset.”
The governor has encouraged Virgin Islanders to take some time on Diabetes Alert Day today to learn about the disease and consult with their doctor if they believe they are at risk.
Diabetes results in an elevated blood sugar level. Some symptoms are hunger, thirst, exhaustion, frequent urination, slow healing sores and tingling of the feet. The most common form of the disease, Type 2 Diabetes, can in many cases be prevented or delayed with a healthier lifestyle.
Roughly two-thirds of Virgin Islanders are overweight or obese and more than half are inactive. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing a small amount of weight and becoming more active. These simple changes in lifestyle can go a long way in lowering one’s risk for developing diabetes, which in turn, can reduce medical costs for families and the government.
A recommended way to determine your risk for developing diabetes is to take the Diabetes Risk Test developed by the American Diabetes Association. The simple questionnaire asks respondents about their family and personal history and returns a score that gives an idea of approximate risk level. As part of Diabetes Alert Day, the Risk Test is published in today’s newspapers and can be viewed on the website,
www.usvidiabetes.org.
Printed copies will be available at clinics on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John.
“It is only through greater public knowledge and education that we can combat diabetes. By encouraging healthy lifestyles, teaching people how to recognize the disease and by seeking proper treatment, we can save lives and make a huge impact on the wellbeing of this territory’s citizens,” de Jongh said.
The Virgin Islands government established the Diabetes Education Empowerment Program (DEEP) in 2009 by forging a partnership with Novo Nordisk pharmaceuticals. The Danish Company pledged $300,000 over three years to assist the Virgin Islands in its effort to reduce diabetes by developing innovative programs to educate caregivers and residents.
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