Despite numerous worldwide and national efforts to raise awareness about diabetes, many Americans still lack a basic understanding about one of the world’s fastest growing diseases, according to a recent article published by Health Day News.
In a survey of 2,081 people – 285 of which have diabetes – Americans scored a mere 51%, a very poor and failing grade. In fact, 58% of people in the survey that was released by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), were unaware that diabetes kills more Americans each year than both breast cancer and AIDS combined. And, nearly one in five falsely believe the death rate from the disease is declining.
The survey also produced some other findings that illustrate just how badly diabetes education is needed in the U.S. They include:
* The majority of people surveyed believe myths about the causes of diabetes. Only one-third understood that eating too much sugar is not a cause of diabetes. In reality, diet has no bearing on the development of Type 1, according to the Health Day News article. Additionally, more than 50% incorrectly believe that all overweight people will eventually get Type 2 diabetes.
* Less than 60% know the difference between Types 1 and 2. People with Type 1 diabetes are “insulin deficient,” meaning their bodies do not make enough or any insulin, while Type 2s are “insulin resistant” meaning their body makes insulin but doesn’t use it correctly.
* There was a massive misunderstanding about diabetics and food. It is beneficial for people with diabetes to follow the same healthy diet recommended for the entire population. However, 88% of people surveyed incorrectly thought that people with diabetes need to follow a diet that is more restrictive than that healthy diet.
* 10% of those surveyed believe there is a cure for diabetes. While there are ways to manage the disease and some experimental trials that could lead to cures, there is no permanent cure to either type (Note: some may argue that bariatric surgery is a cure to Type 2)
To help combat the lack of awareness, the ADA is encouraging people with the disease to share their stories as part of a new campaign called Stop Diabetes. One of the goals of the effort is to push people who are most at risk to get screened for the disease, according to the Health Day News article. Those at highest risk for Type 2 include, but are not limited to, people age 45 and older as well people that are of a race other than white or are obese. While the exact cause of Type 2 and Type 1 are not known, researchers believe genes play one factor. So, those with a family history may also want to get screened.
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