New York City health officials recently declared diabetes an epidemic, as deaths and diagnoses of diabetes and obesity continue to rise dramatically. As such, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Department of Health, along with many prominent health practitioners are fighting for a ban on supersized "sugary beverages" at food establishments which receive grades from the Department of Health. While this sounds like a good idea on paper to combat excessive sugar intake, the jury is still out as to whether consumers will not compensate by ordering more of the smaller sizes, or get more refills. And beverages are far from the only source of sugar. Still, it is a promising idea considering the apparent success of smoking bans in reducing overall smoking rates.
But this is just one small step in the fight against disease and restoration of health. We need widespread, multi-faceted changes in consumers and producers, private citizens and public officials.
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| Ads like these urge consumers to skip the added sugars. |
Here are just a few ways we can work towards a healthier future together:
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Free/Inexpensive Educational Workshops- Education is a big part of
combating this disease because most people likely do not have a very strong
understanding of diabetes, its causes, and effects. If people know exactly how
the various kinds of food they eat are digested and integrated by the body with
regards to disease/optimal health, then they are more likely to make better
choices. It's also important to educate people in a practical way as much as in
a theoretical way. Some people may think that they can eat now and worry about
diabetes decades from now, or that diabetes is just an inevitable outcome- but
it isn't. It is very real and the effects are cumulative and ultimately quite
detrimental to quality of life. Nutrition classes at local clinics or public spaces would be beneficial, especially with the presence of a guest speaker who has
personal experience or relation with a diabetic person.
·
Spreading Accurate Info- As with the first point, more exposure is needed- the
right kind. Media enjoy using shocking, severe headlines, and that may work at
times. But the important thing is factually true, sound information that the
average person can understand, and in turn, make changes to their lifestyles.
In the office and around the community, brochures and fliers can be distributed
to people. In such brochures and fliers, we can describe diabetes in an
informative yet easy-to-read way, offer ways to fight the disease, and
demonstrate how various treatment methods can work to that end. e.g. Nutrition, personal
training. Public awareness about the issue is very important.
·
Community Changes- As a community, people have the power to make changes if
we cause enough of a stir or consensus. With enough support, perhaps
foods/beverages that significantly contribute to diabetes can be removed from
stores/restaurants. If there is little to no demand for such items, then there
will little to no supply for such items. A community may also raise support for
wholesale public bans of sugary drinks, such as the one Mayor Bloomberg
proposed on supersized sugary drinks. Community
events at schools or churches could be highly effective in doing all of these
things (spreading the word, public speeches, healthy/organic foods sale,
fundraising for diabetes organizations, walkathon, goodie bag giveaways, etc.)
· Fundraising- This could be done by health care practitioners (try to raise money by reaching
out to different organizations, medical offices, even patients; offer a limited
time deal in which X % or X amount of proceeds go to Y organization or Z
hospital,) or as a community (send fliers asking for donations, raise money
with some event as stated above).
- Improving Accessibility, Affordability, and Resources- The most challenging aspect. A lack of accessibility and resources are frequently cited as a primary factor in high obesity and diabetes rates in more impoverished/underdeveloped/underinvested areas. The article in the Daily News says, " Diabetes deaths are particularly high among black New Yorkers, who have a rate of 116 deaths for every 100,000 people, compared with 81 for Hispanics, 45 for whites, and 41 for Asians," and "there are huge gaps between neighborhoods — with rates ranging from 19 deaths per 100,000 in Murray Hill, Manhattan, to 177 in Brownsville, Brooklyn." Obviously there are other factors that play into these statistics, but it is true that in certain areas, a lack of accessibility and resources exist. And even if fresh, healthy options exist, they are not very affordable for these people (or so it seems to be). Research also shows that fast food establishments are in greater numbers in such communities as well. Accessibility, affordability, and resources- these three must be addressed, otherwise information/education can only go so far in preventing/treating diabetes.
