FLORIDA HEALTH IN SEMINOLE COUNTY RECOGNIZES NATIONAL DIABETES MONTH AND WORLD DIABETES DAY

Contact:
Mirna Chamorro
Mirna.chamorro@flhealth.gov
407-717-0184

Sanford, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County (DOH-Seminole) will conduct diabetes screenings throughout the month of November in recognition of National Diabetes Awareness Month. National Diabetes Awareness Month is observed every year to raise awareness about diabetes and to combat diabetes as a critical health issue. World Diabetes Day is observed on November 14^th and this year’s theme is Access to Diabetes Care: Education to Protect Tomorrow. This campaign aims to increase access to quality diabetes education and care among health professionals and people in the community.

In 2018, it was estimated that over 2.4 million people were living with diabetes and over 5.8 million were living with prediabetes in Florida. The rate of individuals diagnosed with diabetes has more than tripled over the past two decades and continues to increase today. While there is not a cure for diabetes yet, a healthy lifestyle can reduce its impacts on life. Early intervention can prevent serious problems caused by diabetes, such as nerve and kidney damage, and health professionals and people living with prediabetes or diabetes are encouraged to detect and manage diabetes early.

DOH-Seminole is offering the following programs and services for individuals who are prediabetic or diabetic:

• The Healthy Living Program (HLP). The HLP is a 4 week-long lifestyle change program designed to help people who have prediabetes reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The HLP emphasizes lifestyle change through healthy eating and physical activity. This program is delivered in-person and through qualifying at-home visits.
• Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) for individuals that have been diagnosed with diabetes. The DSME program consists of 8 sessions of individualized instruction either on-the-phone, online, and in-person. Topics include healthy eating, physical activity, monitoring blood sugar, taking medication, problem-solving, healthy coping, and reducing risks. The goal of the DSME is to increase diabetes management skills and knowledge, preventing complications, and improve health and well-being.
• In addition, for the month of November the DSME program will be conducting free diabetes screenings at the main DOH-Seminole location (400 Airport Blvd. Sanford, FL 32773) on the following dates:
  • Mondays from 9:00 to 11:00am (front lobby)
  • Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:30pm (food pantry)

The DSME program will also provide diabetes supplies for low-income individuals.

For more information about diabetes screenings and supplies, or if you are interested in registering for the HLP or DSME program, please contact Ineabelle Schelmety Goitia at

(407) 665-3235 or by email at ineabelle.schelmetygoitia@flhealth.gov for the HLP, or Dieu Tran, DSME Coordinator at (407) 665-3220 or by email at dieu.tran@flhealth.gov for the DSME program.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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