The Health Implications of Diabetes for Floridians, Essay Example

Very briefly describe the health problem.

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body is unable to manage its insulin levels.  This can manifest itself in two ways:  Type 1 Diabetes, formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes, occurs in children whose bodies do not produce insulin; Type 2 Diabetes, also known as adult-onset Diabetes, can be successfully controlled through diet and exercise.  The prevalence of diabetes, especially type 2, continues to rise in the United States, largely as a response to poor nutrition and dietary choices and the increasingly sedentary lifestyle led by many Americans.  The goal of Healthy People 2010 was to use educational and preventative means to lower the risk of Americans developing diabetes as well as working to improve the lives of people who already have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

In what ways, if any, has the goal been adjusted by the state?

The state of Florida has taken an active role in adopting many of the goals of the Healthy People 2010 campaign.  Florida physicians recognize that the risk factors for type 2 diabetes are especially high in specific ethnic groups and amongst the economically disadvantaged.  Thus the goal of using education and prevention to minimize the negative economic and health implications of diabetes has been adjusted to reflect concerns for these specific populations of Floridians.

Summarize the current progress that has been made toward meeting the targets, both nationally and in your state.

The current progress in meeting targets, nationally and state-wide, remains challenging, especially where type 2 diabetes is concerned.  Much of this is due to the relationship between behavioral issues, social issues, and health issues related to diabetes, which require a concentrated effort on the part of physicians, government, and individuals to manage, treat, and prevent this chronic illness.  Although there are many strategies in place to work with people who suffer from diabetes, including screening, nutritional education, and other preventative measures, it is expected that this problem will “worsen before it improves” (Healthy People, 2010), especially amongst teenagers, the elderly, and high-risk ethnic populations such as African Americans and Hispanics.

Summarize also one of the main challenges so far in meeting any of the targets.

One of the major challenges of meeting the target of decreasing diabetes within high-risk populations is the need to address the inadequate access to diabetes management and control programs.  These include self-management education that tackles the problems of poor nutrition and access to essential services.  Because incidents of type 2 diabetes are higher amongst the underprivileged, who are less likely to have adequate health insurance, the likelihood that preventative measures will be employed decreases substantially.  The Healthy People 2010 program emphasizes the need to provide diabetes education to under-serviced population while increasing the availability of screening programs in relation to eye care and glucose management  for these at-risk populations who tend to lack the resources to engage in preventative measures.

References

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). Health people 2010. Retrieved from  http://www.healthypeople.gov/2010