News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
It is National Diabetes Month, a time set aside to bring attention to the disease and its impact on millions of Americans.
Kimberly Mayberry is Cookeville Regional Medical Center’s Diabetes Education Center Director. Mayberry said about nine to 14 percent of the Upper Cumberland region has been diagnosed.
“It’s a major issue,” Mayberry said. “It’s a major contributor of complications from other problems as well. It is one of the leading causes of deaths nationwide. Seventh or 8th depending on which source you look at.”
Mayberry said screening and identifying diabetes is the most important step with your health. Mayberry said a large portion of people do not have access to primary care and are unaware that they have the disease.
Mayberry said healthy eating, exercising and managing stress are the best ways to prevent diabetes. Mayberry said the education center provides the public with this information to raise awareness.
