Fewer Tennesseans Report Diabetes Diagnosis

 

NASHVILLE – Fewer Tennesseans report they have been told by a health provider that they have diabetes, according to results of the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Figures for 2008 for this important health indicator are lower than in the two previous years.

 

“We are encouraged by these findings and hope they indicate that more Tennesseans are taking simple steps such as increasing physical activity and eating more healthfully, which can reduce the risk for diabetes,” said Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN. “Reducing rates of diabetes will go a long way in improving Tennessee’s overall health status.”

 

Participants in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey were asked, “Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse or other health professional that you have diabetes?” In 2008, 10.3 percent of Tennessee’s respondents answered “Yes.” The figure is down slightly from 2007, when 11.9 percent of respondents reported a diagnosis of diabetes. In 2006, the figure was 10.7 percent.

 

While Tennessee's rate for diabetes in 2008 appears to be lower than rates from both 2006 and 2007, there exists a small margin of error in each year's estimate. Thus, the ranges of error may account for what appears to be a decline. Data from 2008 also show Tennessee ranks 46^th in the nation for rates of diabetes, with only four states having higher rates.

 

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. In 2007, it was the seventh leading cause of death in Tennessee and a contributing cause for various other deaths. Complications from uncontrolled diabetes can include blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, heart disease and limb amputation. While there is no cure, Type 2 diabetes and many diabetes complications can be prevented by following a healthy and active lifestyle.

Tennessee is actively working to help reduce the burden of diabetes on the state. Governor Phil Bredesen launched Project Diabetes, an innovative public health initiative to help reduce the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in Tennessee. To learn more about Project Diabetes, call 615-253-8729 or send an e-mail to Project.Diabetes@state.tn.us.

 

Along with Project Diabetes, Governor Bredesen developed the GetFitTN campaign to address the epidemic of Type 2 diabetes in Tennessee and the risk factors that lead to the disease, such as obesity. For more information on the Get Fit Tennessee initiative, visit the Web site at www.getfittn.com.

 

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is a telephone interviewing effort conducted in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Participants are asked about behaviors that affect their risk of developing chronic diseases that may lead to illness and death. The data collected helps to identify high risk populations that can be targeted for intervention programs. The data can also be used to track changes over time in the prevalence of risk factor behaviors and related diseases, and can assess the impact of health promotion and prevention intervention programs. Learn more about BRFSS in Tennessee online at http://health.state.tn.us/statistics/brfss.htm.