Navicent Health Calls Attention to Diabetes through World Diabetes Day

Prevalence of Diabetes Particularly High in Bibb, Peach Counties

Diabetes, a condition affecting an estimated 30 million Americans, is a metabolic disease in which the body is unable to produce enough insulin to regulate glucose levels in the bloodstream. Many cases of diabetes go undiagnosed. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious and life-threatening conditions including blindness, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and amputation.

Diabetes Healthways, Atrium Health Navicent invites central Georgians to recognize World Diabetes Day on Tuesday, November 14, and encourages individuals to determine their risk for Type 2 Diabetes by visiting https://doihaveprediabetes.org/.

"Diabetes is one of the major health problems in our region, and is very prevalent in Bibb and the surrounding counties. Our hope is to raise community awareness of diabetes, contributing factors and appropriate management," said Julie Deese, RN, BSN, CDE, Nurse Manager for Diabetes Healthways-Atrium Health Navicent.

Those at risk for diabetes are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider about managing risk. To locate a primary care provider, please visit www.navicenthealth.org and choose "Find a Doctor." Maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and remaining active can also minimize diabetes risk.

Led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225.

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent was incorporated on November 17, 1994, as a nonprofit corporation whose primary purpose is to coordinate The Medical Center, Navicent Health and other affiliated entities in their mission of providing a comprehensive continuum of high quality, reasonably priced healthcare services to the region. Atrium Health Navicent has 970 beds for medical, surgical, rehabilitation and hospice purposes. The health system includes The Medical Center, Navicent Health, a nationally recognized tertiary teaching hospital; Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital, the region's only dedicated pediatric hospital; Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin and Medical Center of Peach County, Atrium Health Navicent, both rural critical access hospitals; Rehabilitation Hospital, Atrium Health Navicent, the region's oldest and most experienced rehabilitation provider; Pine Pointe, Atrium Health Navicent, which provides palliative and hospice care in homes and in its facility; Carlyle Place, Atrium Health Navicent, the area's first continuing care retirement community; Navicent Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Atrium Health Navicent; as well as diagnostic and home care services. For more information, please visit www.navicenthealth.org.