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13
Posted by Carolyn Martin on November 13th, 2025
Posted in: Consumer Health, Health Literacy, Health Observances
Tags: consumer health, diabetes, health information, outreach, reading
According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects over 38 million people in just the United States alone. Every year 1.2 million people are diagnosed with this health condition.
MedlinePlus explains the different types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes: If you have type 1 diabetes, your body makes little or no insulin. It happens when your immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin.
Type 2 diabetes: This is the most common form of diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body may still be able to make insulin, but your cells don’t respond well to insulin. They can’t easily take up enough glucose from your blood.
Gestational diabetes: This is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It happens when your body can’t make the extra insulin it needs during pregnancy.
For type 1 diabetes, having a family member such as a parent or a sibling is a risk factor.
For type 2 diabetes, a number of factors are involved including:
Bringing awareness of this disease and helping your communities by providing evidence-based health information they can review with their doctor can bring empowerment and engagement in managing this condition.
MedlinePlus: Diabetes
Starting with the broader condition of diabetes, MedlinePlus includes additional links to Related Health Topic pages such as:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Diabetes
This NIH institute includes over 25 links to information focused on diabetes and diabetes related topics.
CDC: Diabetes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention devotes several web pages on diabetes both for the public and for healthcare professionals making it a very comprehensive resource to use as needed when needed.
American Diabetes Association
This well-known nonprofit organization provides education, awareness, and support around diabetes and funds diabetes research. The information here is comprehensive with topics such as caregiving, managing healthcare expenses, substance use, and traveling.
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
Learn about research being done or supported by the foundation, read patient stories, and find information supporting parents.
As it is November with colder weather and the holidays approaching, it can be especially challenging to stay healthy when it is easy to overeat or be physically inactive. Here are a couple of resources to use for recipes and staying active in cold weather.
American Diabetes Association Holidays & Entertaining Recipes
These recipes are specifically for the holidays but could be used at any time. Included are recipes for beverages, main courses, appetizers, desserts, and more.
Diabetes Care Community Staying Active in Cold Weather
Suggestions for outdoor and indoor activities are listed as well as safety tips to be aware of for those with diabetes.
Many people seek information and support they do not find in the usual health information resources. Some are connected to associations or community organizations. Many connect online but you may want to check with your local resources for nearby support. It’s good to be cautious and here are some links that provide tips and guidance to good support groups.
Support groups: Make connections, get help from Mayo Clinic
How accurate is information from your online health support group? from Harvard Health
Patient Support Groups, from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology includes a listing of groups to offer
Another way to highlight diabetes is through the NNLM Reading Club where books on this topic have been selected and include discussion questions and supplemental information for your book clubs.
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