Currently in the United States there are approximately 30 million people who have diabetes. Not controlling your diabetes can lead to many serious conditions. The good news is that there are many interventions in place that can help you avoid some of the complications of diabetes, like kidney failure, loss of vison, and amputations.Here in Putnam County we have a fully accredited Diabetes Self-Management Education ( DSME) program to assist anyone with diabetes avoid these complications associated with diabetes. Healthy People 2030 has made it a priority to focus on "reducing diabetes cases, complications and deaths".

In honor of Diabetes Awareness Day, DOH-Putnam participated in an outreach at New Life Fellowship to screen people for diabetes. Many people are unaware of possibly having diabetes or being predisposed to diabetes. Carol Kazounis, Director of Community Health Programs administered a Prediabetes Risk test created by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to 9 attendees. If anyone scored high, they were encouraged to meet with their physician and discuss the National Diabetes Prevention Program and a possible referral. The Florida Department of Health in Putnam County also offers a Diabetes Prevention Program in Partnership with the University of Florida IFAS Program.