November is National Diabetes Month, this month communities across the country work together to bring attention to diabetes. This year the focus is on the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Adults with diabetes are two times more likely to die from heart disease or stroke as someone without diabetes. This is because over time, high blood glucose from diabetes can affect the health of your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart.

However, you can take steps to manage diabetes. This in turn can also help lower your chances of having heart disease or a stroke:

• Quit smoking or cease the use of other tobacco products.
• Stay on top of your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
• Develop or maintain healthy lifestyle habits, such as, more physical activity, and stress management.
• Take medicines as prescribed by your doctor.

The Ocean County Health Department is pushing back against diabetes as an agency. We are in the process of applying for National Accreditation as a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) provider. In addition, we currently have two newly certified Lifestyle Change coaches, and are working towards becoming a Diabetes Prevention Program to help improve health behaviors and health outcomes for people with diabetes. Please contact Meg McCarthy-Klein, MS, RDN our Clinical Nutritionist at 732-341-9700 x 7237 or MegMcCarthy@ochd.org if you are interested!