I just read Childhood Diabetes: A Global Perspective by Martin Silink and I think that it made some really good, tangible points. I remember when my step-father was diagnosed with diabetes, and not thinking it was a big deal because I didn't really understand how much the disease affects every aspect of someone's life. However, now that he faces the decision each month of where he should cut costs in his budget so that he can afford his necessary medications and insulin shots, I am constantly aware of how terrible it is to have diabetes. It's not just the fact that you have a disease with no cure, but that even if you try to make all the necessary lifestyle changes that you possibly can, you may simply not be able to afford the necessary treatment needed to keep the disease from getting worse. The above quote caught my eye, because I think the mere implications of that statement being true are profound. Imagine the quality of life someone in one of these developing countries faces just because they have diabetes. I can't fathom not being able to be married simply because I had a chronic disease like this. I completely agree with the WHO Report from 2006 that suggested that an emphasis on educating individuals about the benifits of exercise and diet are clearly not enough. There needs to be more awareness of governments and health organizations about how detrimental these non-communicable diseases are for societies and economies, and in order to achieve this I think there needs to be more funding of organizations dedicated to curbing this pandemic. I think that if governments get involved and work with these organizations to help spread the message of how to better prevent diabetes there can be vast improvement in the incidence rate of diabetes. Furthermore, I also think that individuals can make a huge difference. For example, look at the succes of the film "Super Size Me." Though it may not have revolutionized American's eating habits, I think that it did make people think about the health consequences of unhealthy lifestyle choices such as eating fast food.
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Sheila I agree with you I also think if public and private sectors of governments get involve, work with organizations and help broaden the communication of how to prevent diabetes, will make enormous progress in the prevalence rate of diabetes. Therefore individuals on one by one cases can make a huge difference in their own wellbeing, "Super Size Me" clip was a very encouraging video for those who want to start a healthy life and live joyful. Hope we can promote and give confidence to more people with chronic disease to better their lives.
i was saddened to read that lifestyle interventions did not help your stepdad. (b/c that is the area i want to dedicate my life to) i'm currently working with Dr. Kim Reyonld's on his diabetes study. we are interested in looking at the health behaviors (physical activity and nutrition) of the participates. are you aware that you can control/maintain your diabetes with increased physical activity and modified diet? i've spoken to a lot of participates and they tell me how changing their "lifestyle" has helped a lot, some were able to stop their drugs. furthermore, cost of prescription drugs is asomething at the policy level, haha, which the governor of CA is currently working on reforming.
You have made some insightful points. There does need to be new and innovative ways to spread the detrimental effects of chronic disease because sometimes promoting diet and exercise is not enough. Maybe we need to go in the direction of shock-value media when it comes to educating the public of the serious life-changing consequences of obesity and diabetes. Ad campaigns created by tobacco education groups have produced some great material. What comes to mind is the commercial of the woman smoking out of the whole in her neck! If that doesn't scare someone off from smoking, i'm not sure what will!
You make some great points. Its difficult managing chronic diseases because a purely medical approach falls short of address tangible obstacles. There is not enough information about how to manage the various aspects of diabetes maintenance and control. Enjoyed your insights.
How something like this is happening. What is the future f htis child. It is probably more afected by the disease than not been able to married. So sad.
I will be writing my paper on diabetes and I hope I can think in any idea that helps patients with diabetes and does that does not have the disease to not get it.
M
I recently just saw supersize me and have vowed never to eat at mcdonalds again. I actually know a few people who vowed the same thing afterwards. So media productions like this do help bring some awareness, but I agree more needs to be done. We can't be reliant on a few movies here and there and a couple advertisements on tv. There needs to be a collaborative effort in multiple sectors including government, private, transportation, education, and media. thanks for your post.
Continuing on your thoughts, we live a country that is seemingly on a slippery slope. This seems apparent across the board and most notably in our dieting habits. The fact that the country can allow obesity to spread as much as it has is only the tip of the iceberg. I pray that there is a paradigm shift and people take their health into their own hands. There are ways to keep people accountable for their health and if you'd like to know a theory that I have please feel free to email me. jordanesraelian@gmail.com
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