Diabetes affects many Latinos. More than 50% of Latino adults are expected to get Type 2 diabetes over their lifetimes. This is partly due to sociocultural factors, such as:
- lower income
- less access to education
- less access to health care
- language barriers and lack of Spanish-speaking doctors
- family history
Diabetes affects how your body uses glucose or blood sugar. Glucose is needed for our health. It’s an important source of energy for the cells that make up our muscles and tissues.
Prediabetes happens when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes may have no symptoms, but they’re at risk for getting Type 2 diabetes. Having Type 2 diabetes also puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke. Making long-term lifestyle changes (working towards a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, exercising at least 30 minutes per day) can help reduce the possibility of developing diabetes.
Screening for prediabetes is a good way to care for the health of you and your family.
Prediabetes happens when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes may have no symptoms, but they’re at risk for getting Type 2 diabetes. Having Type 2 diabetes also puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke. Making long-term lifestyle changes (working towards a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, exercising at least 30 minutes per day) can help reduce the possibility of developing diabetes.
Screening for prediabetes is a good way to care for the health of you and your family.
Reference
Aguayo-Mazzucato, C., Diaque, P., Hernandez, S., Rosas, S., Kostic, A., & Caballero, A. (2019, February). Understanding the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes in the Hispanic population living in the United States. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
Aguayo-Mazzucato, C., Diaque, P., Hernandez, S., Rosas, S., Kostic, A., & Caballero, A. (2019, February). Understanding the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes in the Hispanic population living in the United States. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
If you are between 35 and 70 years old and are either overweight or obese, talk with your doctor about being screened for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (Reference: US Preventive Services Task Force). You can also complete this CDC Prediabetes Screening Test (citation). This screener is used to assess risk for prediabetes, but it is not diagnostic. Answer these seven simple questions. For each "Yes" answer, add the number of points listed. All "No" answers are 0 points.
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If you scored 5 or higher
You are at increased risk for having prediabetes and are at high risk for type 2 diabetes. However, only your doctor can tell for sure if you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Talk to your doctor to see if additional testing is needed.
You are at increased risk for having prediabetes and are at high risk for type 2 diabetes. However, only your doctor can tell for sure if you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Talk to your doctor to see if additional testing is needed.
It can be hard to find social services to help with your physical and emotional health. TakeAction is a social care network that connects people and programs – making it easy for you to find the social services you need in your community.
Here are some other resources:
- Individual or group health insurance members: See your health care provider. If you don't have a provider, visit your insurance plan's website to find a doctor in your area. Most insurance providers have a "Find Doctor" feature on their websites.
- Medicaid members: See your health care provider. If you don't have a provider, contact a state Medicaid office, or contact your local health department.
- Medicare members: See your health care provider. If you don't have a provider, contact your local health department.
- HRSA Health Centers. Contact HRSA to make an appointment (877-464-4772). HRSA provides care even if you have no health insurance. Open weekdays 8am to 8pm Eastern Time (except federal holidays).