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OKLAHOMA CITY —Most experts now use the word “epidemic” when describing the rising incidence of diabetes in the United States. Without preventive action, one in three children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime, and by 2050 a projected 29 million Americans will be diagnosed with the disease, according to a recent study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
With these grim numbers in mind, the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Visual Services Division put together a seminar to help inform health care providers on treatment options and the public on aspects of the disease and prevention measures. “Diabetes Awareness Day” will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Northeastern State University Auditorium, 2400 W. Shawnee Street, Muskogee, Okla. Attendance is free and registration is not required.
Mila Loya, vocational rehabilitation specialist with the DRS Visual Services Division said, “With the medical consequences of diabetes on the rise, along with the associated rehabilitation services needed, we felt a real need to address this issue now. Through this collective effort with regional experts, we can heighten the community’s awareness of the impact of diabetes both now, during National Diabetes Awareness Month, and in the future.”
Kevin Treese, training specialist with the DRS added, “The collaboration of vocational rehabilitation counselors, medical professionals and support groups offers the best possible method to help with the rehabilitation efforts of people who have diabetes, and to educate others about the disease itself.”
“The more people know about this disease the more likely they will be to make healthy choices in their daily living. Education is one of our best defenses against diabetes.”
Two of the common major health consequences of having diabetes are blindness or low vision and neuropathy of the extremities that, many times, leads to amputation. Both of these topics will also be addressed during the seminar.
For more information about the seminar or to register, call Mila Loya at the DRS at 918-781-4170 or email at mloya@drs.state.ok.us
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