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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Laredo, TX—The World Health Organization (WHO) is celebrating World Diabetes Day to highlight the importance of prevention. If we act now we can prevent 4 million deaths each year due to diabetes. If not more than 10% of the world’s population will develop diabetes. In large part due to being overweight and less exercise. It is estimated that more than 346 million people worldwide have diabetes. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention. With the potential increase of diabetes so will diabetes related diseases (co-morbidities) such as cardiovascular disease/stroke, heart, kidney disease, neurological and eye disease. So let’s promote the “blue circle: the international logo for diabetes prevention. 

 To do its part the City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) wants to alert the public that unless we act now, this serious and potentially deadly disease will impact all of us. To help combat diabetes the CLHD has announced the launch of Healthy Living/Viviendo Mejor, an initiative to help expand and booster diabetes prevention in Laredo. This is unique since we will focus on reducing the risks that contribute to developing diabetes (better eating, exercise, better understanding what diabetes is) and for those who have diabetes to help them better control and improve their health.

 The uniqueness of Healthy Living/Viviendo Mejor (HL/VM) will also focus on the family as a group for all to change behavior.  This is so important however “Changing behavior is difficult to do and diabetes means changing eating habits, doing more exercise and taking your medication correctly, it has to be a family affair”  said Dr. Hector F. Gonzalez, Director of Health.  Through HL/VM family members and persons with diabetes as well professionals in our community will be able to participate in FREE education classes on diabetes self management, cooking, fitness and exercise and peer educational activities.

 Throughout Diabetes Prevention Day and Month we want to highlight healthier lifestyles to improve the life of our families. Just in Texas there are more than 2.2 million persons with diabetes.  Yet the risk of developing diabetes can be substantially reduced and complications can be prevented with adequate health education, proper eating habits, exercise, early detection and treatment.  The HL/VM initiative will help Laredoans with diabetes and their family members take control of their disease and live healthier by becoming better informed of the risks in developing diabetes and to better manage their diabetes.

 Interactive classes are about to start and will focus on 1). Awareness and knowledge of the seriousness of diabetes, its risk factors, and effective strategies for preventing complications associated with diabetes and preventing type 2 diabetes; 2). Help persons understand to manage their diabetes to live healthier; 3). Reduce the risk of diabetes by the community and family members of persons with diabetes and 4). decrease the number of Laredoans with undiagnosed diabetes.

 These free interactive classes will be offered to persons with diabetes and their family members in different sites throughout the year.   We are almost ready to announce the schedule please call Dr. Zaida Gonzalez, Health Educator Supervisor at (956) 795-4918 to enroll.