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Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department marks Diabetes Awareness month

PARKERSBURG — Promoting Health is part of the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department’s vision and is the focus of the Population Health Department.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and with West Virginia being 4th in the nation for diabetes, the department continually educates the community about preventing and managing diabetes all year long.

Diabetes is a growing problem everywhere. In the Mid-Ohio Valley region 30 percent of Medicare recipients and 18 percent of individuals over 65 have a diagnosis of diabetes. Obesity increases a person’s risk for diabetes. 36 percent of adults in our region are obese.

The health department uses evidence-based programs to help groups with diabetes, chronic disease as well as chronic pain. These six-week programs were developed by Stanford University and are taught world-wide.

The programs are designed to help individuals learn more about how to manage their disease. The classes are very interactive, and the group uses brainstorming and problem solving to develop action plans each week.

The concept of the action plan is that when a goal is too difficult and large, it becomes harder to accomplish. The action plan helps individuals create an achievable goal that is measurable, specific and attainable.

For instance, a person may want to lose 10 pounds, so they would decide to add more activity to their daily routine by setting the action plan to walk at least three times a week after work on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Each week, the participant is encouraged to complete an action plan. If they are not sure they can achieve it, the group helps them problem solve and find a manageable plan that they can accomplish. Other topics covered in the classes are meal planning, communicating more effectively with your doctor, relaxation techniques and many other topics.

The health department offers the classes on an as needed basis. If a group from a church, senior center, or business would like to offer the program, the department will come to the location and hold classes.

The program encourages caregivers, spouses and family members to attend the class as well. To see what classes are being offered in the area, visit www.wvhealthconnection.com. For more information on the program, contact Barbara Holt, Population Health Director, at 304-485-7374 ext. 103.

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