Diabetes
Presently more than one in 10 U.S. adults are affected with diabetes, with yearly prevalences still increasing exponentially. This potentially debilitating disease serves as a major risk factor and gateway for other serious medical problems including blindness, renal failure, neuropathy, vascular ischemia/amputation, heart attack, stroke, etc.
Students require an understanding of the metabolism of sugar, the effects of hyperglycemia (high sugar), sources of sugar in the diet.
Diabetes is devastating to the individual and to society. Students must understand habits and lifestyles that can increase or decrease the risk of diabetes, and the methods and importance of management of diabetes to prevent further disease and complications.
Action Plan:
Educational Institutions will need to undergo instructor training and provide student training to educate the pathophysiology, management & treatment of diabetes. Students should be taught methods to effectively reduce their risk of developing diabetes.
Educational content providers will be expected to provide standardized training to both educators and to students that meet quality standards with the goal of instilling understanding and providing tools for avoidance or exceptional management of diabetes. Educational materials should be fairly priced and free from overt marketing bias.