State launches new ‘Beat Diabetes’ public service campaign

Type 2 diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in Hawai‘i and the No. 1 cause of blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputations in the United States.

Diabetes complications are caused by high blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, that damages small blood vessels and nerves. People with prediabetes do not yet have blood sugar levels in the diabetes range, but are at high risk for developing diabetes.

So the Hawaiʻi Department of Health has launched a new “Beat Diabetes” public service campaign to motivate people with prediabetes to adopt healthier behaviors to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

“The good news about prediabetes is that having it doesn’t automatically mean that you will develop diabetes,” said Lola Irvin, the Health Department’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division administrator. “Making lifestyle changes to lose weight, such as eating healthier and increasing physical activity, can prevent the development of diabetes and may also reverse prediabetes back into the normal blood glucose range.”

Participation in a lifestyle change program such as the Beat Diabetes Prevention Program can lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. People also are encouraged to take the Prediabetes Risk Assessment and talk with their health care provider about additional testing.

For people with prediabetes, losing just 5% to 7% of body weight can reduce the chance of developing diabetes by more than 50% for adults at high risk.

However, making the necessary lifestyle changes can feel overwhelming. Enrolling in a lifestyle change program such as the Beat Diabetes Prevention Program can be the easy first step to help build new, healthy habits.

Participants will join a group of people with prediabetes and learn from a trained lifestyle coach.

“My role is to guide our participants through a certified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention diabetes prevention program, providing support and encouragement as they go through their journey to a healthier lifestyle to prevent Type 2 diabetes,” said Jen Valera, a master life coach with the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association.

“Having the support of others helps me stay motivated,” said previous participant Cory A. “When I’m not feeling up to eating healthy or exercising, they help me through it.”

“The program started my weight loss journey,” added Lei K., another previous program participant. “It’s inspired me to do a lot of things in life, and I’ve come a long way.”

The “Beat Diabetes” campaign emphasizes preventing diabetes in the prediabetes stage to avoid its serious complications. It runs through October statewide and includes TV, radio, print, digital, social media and mall advertisements.