Health

Staggering Statistics on Diabetes & Local Efforts to Knock it Out – 2013-11-25

By: Katie Sobiech

DiabetesIt’s no secret that diabetes is quickly growing in the United States. Current stats show that 25.8 million children and adults in the United States – that’s 8.3% of the population – have diabetes (2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet). And seventy-nine million people are pre-diabetic.

Also, the cost of diabetes on the nation’s wallet continues to climb (March 2013), including:

  • $245 billion being the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2012
  • $176 billion for direct medical costs
  • $69 billion in reduced productivity

This epidemic really does affect us all in some way, shape or form. And chances are we, or a loved one, will suffer from diabetes at some point in our lifetime if something isn’t done to address it.

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November 25, 2013
Health

Increase ‘diabetes IQ’ with Akron Area YMCA – 2013-11-13

by Staff Writer

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the Akron Area YMCA is encouraging the community to learn the risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes to take preventive steps to potentially reduce the chances of developing the disease.

Currently, one in three Summit, Medina and Portage County residents have prediabetes — a condition in which a person’s blood glucose is elevated, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Only a small percent of those with prediabetes know they have it. With awareness and simple actions, people with prediabetes may prevent the onset of diabetes.

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November 18, 2013
Health

Summit County Community Partnership Brings Awareness & Solutions to Drug Abuse Issues (Part 3) – 2013-08-30

By: Katie Sobiech

Though the Summit County Community Partnership (SCCP) fights for a variety of concerns, one big issue they are focusing on now is the Medical Marijuana Movement.

“There’s a lot going on. We monitor what’s happening with the legalization of marijuana, and there are a number of states that have some type of legalized marijuana law on the books,” Darryl Brake, Executive Director of the Summit County Community Partnership, said.

So far marijuana has been legalized in 21 states, with more pending… (www.medicalmarijuana.procon.org)

So, how has this been working? Brake says,

“It’s a nightmare for those states that have done that. The reality is it’s a nightmare. Many of the states that passed the law wish they never did, but they opened Pandora’s Box and they’re trying to control it.”

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November 5, 2013