Take the Risk Test on Diabetes Alert Day
Estimated 13% of New Mexico Adults Have Diabetes
Some Don’t Even Know It
Governor Susana Martinez, along with the New Mexico Department of Health and the American Diabetes Association urge New Mexicans to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. This year, Diabetes Alert Day is March 25th. The New Mexico Department of Health estimates in 2012 about 528,250 New Mexico adults had prediabetes, most without knowing it. An estimated 204,030 had either diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes.
“Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes,”, Governor Martinez said. “Diabetes Alert Day serves as a wake-up call to the risk factors for diabetes, and the importance of at-risk persons discussing testing for diabetes and prediabetes with their health care provider. I am encouraging New Mexicans to take a few minutes to take the Diabetes Risk Test. Diagnosis of diabetes can help people get proper treatment so they can better manage the disease.”
Diagnosing diabetes early can potentially avoid costly and deadly complications, which include stroke, heart and kidney disease, blindness and amputation. Governor Martinez has proclaimed March 25th “Diabetes Alert Day” in New Mexico to remind New Mexicans how important early diagnosis is. Proper diet, exercise and medication can help control diabetes and help those with it avoid complications.
Please refer to Diabetes Alert Day Proclamation for more details.
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with 5-7% loss of body weight, healthy eating and 150 minutes of exercise a week.
Governor Martinez is encouraging New Mexicans to take the online Diabetes Risk Test. It asks simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes Risk Test can be easily found on the NMDOH Facebook Page or by visiting the American Diabetes Association website.
"We appreciate Governor Martinez partnering with us to highlight the importance of getting tested for diabetes. Everyone in New Mexico knows someone with diabetes. And there are even more people that have it and don't know it, or are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes,” said Marjorie Cypress Ph.D., 2014 President Health Care and Education, American Diabetes Association. “Diabetes is a serious illness that can be managed once it is diagnosed."
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
- Having prediabetes
- Being 45 or older
- Having a family history of diabetes
- Being overweight or obese
- Having high blood pressure
- Not exercising regularly
- Having gestational diabetes or a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth
- An ethnic or racial background that includes Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Non-Hispanic Blacks, African Americans, Pacific Islanders and Alaska Natives
For more information on diabetes, visit the Department of Health’s Diabetes Prevention and Control section of our website.
Earlier this month, Governor Martinez signed legislation to create a voluntary statewide training and certification program for community health workers. These individuals play a critical role in helping New Mexicans address health care needs, such as diabetes. Governor Martinez recently went on a home visit with a community health worker in Dona Ana County. The community health worker taught the recently diagnosed diabetic how to use a glucose monitor and then use his insulin properly based on the readings. Community health workers also educate diabetes patients on how life style changes, such as nutrition, exercise and other healthy behaviors can help manage diabetes, as well as other chronic diseases. Under the Community Health Workers Act, at least a portion of the services provided by certified community health workers will be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement.
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