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What Physicians Are Saying:

"Information and motivation are the keys to success for all people with diabetes. DiabetesSisters is fulfilling both of these needs with a focus on the unique needs of women with diabetes. Clinical experience has shown me that women experience diabetes differently from men, so having a resource like DiabetesSisters is essential." 
--John Buse, MD, PhD; Chief, Endocrinology Division, Department of Medicine, UNC-CH School of Medicine; Former President, Medicine and Science Division, American Diabetes Association

DiabetesSisters April 2009 Newsletter

Wednesday, 01 April 2009 00:00 | Written by Laura Ely | Newsletter

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DiabetesSisters Newsletter
 
April 2009
DiabetesSisters April Newsletter

 
Do a little "self spring cleaning" this month!
Happy April Ladies!
If you are anything like me you're probably thinking to yourself, how is it already April?!?  It's always crazy to me how time flies and how easy it is to get wrapped up in work, meetings, extracurricular activities, family, friends...the list can go on and on!  As that list of things to do increases, the time that we take for ourselves and our diabetes management dwindles.  With spring now upon us it's time that we all do a little "self spring cleaning" this month.  I personally have had to take a step back and really look at what I was doing and almost more importantly, what I was not doing because of being over committed.  Although it was hard (I'm the type of person that when I commit to something I don't back down) I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my chest and I now feel a lot more at peace.  So for the month of April, I want to encourage you all to do some self spring cleaning.  And guess what, your diabetes will thank you for taking time for yourself too!  If you don't believe me, take a look below at some important facts about women with diabetes.
Until next month!
Laura
Important Facts About Women With Diabetes
We all know that women experience diabetes differently than men but outside of pregnancy, what else is different?  Read below to find out! 

Diabetes currently affects over 246 million people worldwide and over half of these people are women. Already considered an "epidemic," researchers expect these rates to increase to 380 million by 2025. In the US, almost 21 million children and adults have diabetes, including 9.7 million women, and almost one third of them do not know it.
Did you know:
  • Women in minority racial and ethnic groups are the hardest hit by type 2 diabetes; the prevalence is two to four times higher among black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian-Pacific Islander women than among white women. Because minority populations are expected to grow at a faster rate than the U.S. population as a whole, the number of women in these groups who are diagnosed with diabetes will increase significantly in the coming years.
  • Diabetes is a more common cause of coronary heart disease among women than men.
  • Among people with diabetes, the prognosis of heart disease is worse for women than for men; women have poorer quality of life and lower survival rates than men do.
  • The link between diabetes and obesity is striking. Nearly half (47%) the women with diabetes have a body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2 compared with 25% of all women.
  • Diabetes affects women different ways during different stages throughout life.  To "Learn the Facts" visit us by clicking here.
DiabetesSisters Member Update
Although DiabetesSisters is based out of Durham, NC, our members consist of women throughout the world.  Here is a summary of our current member population:
To date we have 917 members world wide!  All members are allowed access to our Women's Forum and receive our monthly e-Newlsetter.
Top 5 Countries:
#1 - United States, #2 - India, #3 - United Kingdom, #4 - Eastonia, #5 - Canada
Top 5 US States:
#1 - North Carolina, #2 - Wisconsin, #3 - California, #4 - New York, #5 - Illinois 
 
News Briefs, Updates & Events!
DiabetesSisters Meet & Greet Event at the Raleigh TCOYD Convention Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 5pm-6pm.
DiabetesSisters became a federally recognized 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization on January 21st, 2009.  All donations are now tax deductible.
Check out this month's Nutrition Tip of the Month by Lindsay Riffe, RD, LDN, CDE  
NEW! Diabetes and the Law.  This month's topic: Requesting an Accommodation Under the Americans with Disabilities Act.