Rodriguez-Lage 1

Jose Rodriguez-Lage
November 25, 2014
ENC1101
Professor Massey
Community Problem Report: Diabetes
Diabetes is a growing problem locally in the United States as well as throughout the
entire world. Certain countries have been taking action for quite some time now in order to
raise awareness for the disease in the respective countries. As time has gone by more and
more nations have realized that they need to inform their people as well. Countries such as
India, China, and Saudi Arabia have been some of the latest countries to raise awareness for
diabetes on the national level. New programs have been implemented and surveys have been
conducted in order for different organizations throughout those countries to learn about the
knowledge of diabetes in their countries. By using the information collected the organizations
were able to determine the knowledge of people regarding diabetes. They could then start
campaigns to raise awareness and teach people on the disease.
In the nation of India, it has been concluded that there are about 62.4 million people
with diabetes in the country as of 2011. It is projected that the amount of people with the
disease will reach 101.2 million. Unless some sort of awareness is implemented, the people
of India will not have the opportunity to realize how dangerous diabetes can be. From
November 2008 to April 2010 men and women aged 20 years and above were recruited for
the study (Deepa et. al.). The total amount of people interviewed was 213 million, which is
roughly one-sixth of the total population in India, which is 1.2 billion. All the data collected
came from a questionnaire of seven question. All participants received a score ranging from
four to zero. Those that received a four or three were most aware of diabetes and its risk

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factors while those that received a low score of two, one, or zero were least aware of diabetes
as well as the risk factors. As part of the survey it was concluded that for the most part, males

Gender Comparisson
Figure 1
70

Proportion of People (%)

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Overall

Tamilnadu

Maharashtra
Male

Jharkhand

Chandigarh

Female

are more aware of diabetes and its risk factors as shown below in Figure1.

The data also showed that people living in urban areas are more aware of diabetes
than those living in urban areas. Those living in urban areas have quicker and easier access to
doctors, hospitals, medicine, as well as education in comparison to the people living in rural
areas. Also most of the people living in the rural areas are uneducated and very poor. They
cannot afford to drive to a doctor and many didnt even go to school so they are not
knowledgeable on the topic of diabetes. Out of the general population 85.3% of people living
in urban areas knew that the prevalence of diabetes was increasing while 77.7% of the rural
population knew about it. It is the duty of India as a nation to allow all of its citizens whether

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rich or poor, smart or dumb, to know about diabetes and the ways to prevent it. As mentioned
earlier diabetes is a growing problem, emphasis on growing, and if governments do not start
programs for their people so that they could be knowledgeable on diabetes, the number is just
going to continue to rise and rise.
The rapid economic and population growth in China is affecting the knowledge of
many people. China is the worlds most populous country with a population of 1.357 billion
people. With a population as large as that of China, more effort needs to be placed on
awareness for diabetes. In order for various organizations throughout the country to know
about the level of diabetes awareness, a survey was conducted. The survey was conducted in
the northeast region of China in order to learn about the awareness of diabetes in the region.
For the survey men and women ages 18 to 79 were selected. The government of China has
placed little importance on diabetes, but with such a large population more importance needs
to be placed on diabetes. In the survey it was noted that the province of Jilin had a higher
standard for diabetes awareness compared to that previously predicted. Although it was
higher than predicted it is still relatively low compared to other countries.
It was learned that the awareness of diabetes increased with age. As people get older
they become wiser and more knowledgeable. This allows them to make smart and correct
decisions, which is extremely important because diabetes can be a life changing disease.
These smart decisions include eating healthy food as well as exercising. When people are
young they usually do not pay attention to their health because they dont realize how
important it really is.
Many people are diagnosed with Type2 diabetes every day. Type 2 diabetes is caused
by being unhealthy along with having other medical conditions such as high blood pressure.
If people are not being informed correctly on all the dangers that come with being diabetic

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they will never stop or get rid of the habits that they currently have. Foods high in sodium
and cholesterol are very dangerous. Not only can they be a factor in diabetes but also in other
life-threating conditions such as heart attacks, high blood pressure, and strokes. This is what
many people have trouble realizing. Diabetes is not the only problem. It starts a long line of
dangerous conditions that if they are not taking care of could result in death.
The government of Saudi Arabia is getting concerned because they feel that new
cultural changes in the country are having an effect on the dietary habits of many people,
especially the young. The government is claiming that western cultures are affecting their
culture. This includes the consumption of fast foods and a lack of consumption of fruits and
vegetables. A university in Saudi Arabia conducted a survey with 200 of their students. The
point of the survey was to learn about the knowledge that the students have regarding
diabetes. About half of the students that took part in the survey had a family member that had
been previously diagnosed with diabetes (Aida, Halima et. al.). The government is trying to
prevent the spread of diabetes throughout the country. They know how dangerous diabetes is
and it is very good that they are putting so much emphasis on the disease unlike other nations
that are not dedicating enough time and importance to raising awareness for diabetes.
Many of the people that have type 2 diabetes have the disease due to lack of exercise
and unhealthy eating habits. Due to this, some states are starting programs in schools to
inform young children about the risks that are attributed with being diabetic. It is important
for children to be taught about diabetes from a young age. This way they are aware of all the
negative consequences that are attributed with the disease and they will be healthy during
their youth and into adulthood. In 2011 the Illinois Legislative Diabetes Caucus teamed up
with the Illinois Diabetic Policy Coalition. The conference was attended by doctors,
caregivers, and diabetics amongst others. The purpose of the conference was to discuss how
to help people that are diabetic and how to prevent others from becoming diabetic. The

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lawmakers also established November as diabetes awareness month. They also passed a
delegation which stated that first, requires parents who seek assistance at school for the
diabetic care of their children to submit diabetic plans. It also provides aids to help children
with diabetes to follow their plans at school. Lastly, it requires training for school employees
and gives them civil immunity for responding in good faith (Hinkley, Kara Nett. Pg.1). With
these new laws in place it will hopefully contribute to lowering the amount of children that
are being diagnosed with diabetes everyday leading to a healthier, diabetes-free generation of
people.
In 2012 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) along with Emblem Health, a health
insurance giant, have awarded nearly 7 million dollars in grants to a variety of community
organizations, some of which are located in the metro area. With the grants the CDC plans on
providing wellness training classes as well as diabetes prevention solutions to the residents of
Harlem, New York, and other metro area communities. Harlem currently has one of the
highest rates for diabetes across the country, along with other communities located in
Queens, New York as well. With the program, participants will be able to learn about how
they can make healthier food choices, exercise better, and take part in energy-building
activities. Most of the people diagnosed with diabetes are at an extreme risk for heart attack,
stroke, and hypertension. Through these grants people will hopefully make healthier choices
in order to minimize they possibility of any of those problems may occur. This is a very good
example of the growing awareness for diabetes all across the nation, even in small suburbs
such as Harlem. The community has come to realize that it needs to take action in order for
the number of people being diagnosed with diabetes, which once again is one of the highest
in the nation, to diminish and have healthier and happier people living in the community.
From all of the information provided it can be concluded that diabetes is major
problem increasing every day and that a solution needs to be implemented as soon as

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possible. There are currently over 26 million Americans with diabetes. There are also more
than 79 million Americans with pre-diabetes and there are another 7 million people with
diabetes that are not aware that they have the disease (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, American Diabetes Association, February 2013). The best solution is would be
to have surveys taken on the county level. Then all the data from the surveys would be sent to
an organization such as the American Diabetes Association for analysis. The results will be
analysed and a solution would be determined. Possible solutions that could be implemented
can range from healthier food options at schools to campaigns and meetings in different cities
throughout the respective countries. With all that implemented it would hopefully raise
greater awareness for diabetes and diminish the number of people diagnosed with the disease.

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Works Cited
Aida, Halimic , Gage Heather, Vrikki Maria, Williams Peter. Diabetes Awareness and
Behavioural Risk Factors among University Students in Saudi Arabia. Middle East
Journal of Family Medicine 11.3 (2013): 4-9. Academic Search Complete. Web. 29
October 2014.
Deepa, M., A. Bhansali, R.M. Anjana, R. Pradeepa, S.R. Joshi, P.P. Joshi, V.K. Dhandhania,
P.V. Rao, R. Subashini, R. Unnikrishnan, D.K. Shukla, S.V. Madhu, A.K. Das, V.
Mohan, T. Kaur. Knowledge And Awareness of Diabetes In Urban And Rural India:
The Indian Council Of Medical Research India Diabetes Study (Phase I): Indian
Council Of Medical Research India Diabetes 4. Indian Journal of Endocrinology &
Metabolism 18.3 (2014): 379-385. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 October
2014.
Hinkley, Kara Nett. "States Fight Diabetes." State Legislatures 39.4 (2013): 9. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 5 November. 2014.
Townes, Glenn. "Grants awarded to promote diabetes awareness, prevention." New York
Amsterdam News 25 Oct. 2012: 36.Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
United States House of Representatives. To Prevent And Cure Diabetes And To Promote And
Improve The Care Of Individuals With Diabetes For The Reduction Of Health
Disparities Within Racial And Ethnic Minority Groups. BiblioGov. 2011. Print.
Wang, Chang, Yaqin Yu, Xiangyang Zhang, Yong Li, Changgui Kou, Bo Li, Yuchun Tao,
Qing Zhen, Huan He, Joseph Sam Kanu, Xufeng Huang, Mei Han, Yawen Liu.
Awareness, Treatment, Control Of Diabetes Mellitus And The Risk Factors: Survey

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Results From Northeast China. PLoS ONE 9.7 (2014): 1-7. Academic Search
Complete. Web. 29 October 2014.