Diabetes is a disease with serious health consequences, but it is also controllable and preventable. About 1 in 7 Mississippians are living with diabetes, placing the state in the top five nationally for diabetes rates.
Diabetes is deadly. Diabetes accounted for 1,083 deaths in Mississippi in 2016. In addition, many more Mississippians live with the complications of type 2 diabetes, including lower extremity amputations, end stage renal disease, blindness, loss of protective sensation, heart disease and premature death.
Diabetes is an economic burden. The state suffers an estimated burden of $10,400 for each Mississippian diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes-related charges to the state's Medicaid program alone are close to $1 billion each year.
Diabetes is preventable. Learn more below about your risk for developing type 2 diabetes and the small steps you can take to delay or prevent the disease and live a longer, healthier life.
About Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is an incurable disease that affects the way the body uses food. Diabetes causes glucose levels in the blood to be too high. Normally, during digestion the body changes sugars, starches, and other foods into a form of sugar called glucose. Glucose is carried to the body's cells and, with the help of insulin (a hormone), is converted into energy. In healthy people, blood glucose levels are kept within normal ranges by proper insulin function.
People develop type 2 diabetes because the cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly. As a result, the amount of sugar in the blood increases, while the cells are starved of energy. Over time, high blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputation.
Diabetes Can Be Prevented
The National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that moderate diet and exercise that results in 5 to 7 percent weight loss can delay and possibly prevent type 2 diabetes.
Pre-Diabetes
Pre-diabetes simply means that one is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. If your blood sugar level is higher than normal but lower than the diabetes range, then you have pre-diabetes. The good news is you can reduce the risk of getting diabetes and even return to normal blood sugar levels. With modest weight loss and moderate physical activity, you can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. Learn more
In this video, people with pre-diabetes talk about how the CDC's group lifestyle change classes helped them learn and keep healthy habits.
Managing Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you can take steps to manage it. One of our self-management training programs can provide skills to help keep you as healthy as possible.
- Diabetes self-management programsTraining available statewide for individuals or by referral from your doctor
- Cookbook: Freedom for LifeDiabetic-friendly recipes from MSDH
- Diabetes management resources from the CDC
MSDH Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
The MSDH Diabetes Prevention and Control Program works to prevent diabetes in the state, and to reduce the lifestyle and other factors that contribute to diabetes. The program creates partnerships for diabetes education, prevention and management. The details are in our state Diabetes Action Plan.
State Employee Testing
The MSDH Office of Preventive Health offers A1C screenings for state employees at Mississippi state agency events? Find out more
MSDH Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: 601‑206‑1010
