Before the end of year break, Wellness Wednesdays support group members were encouraged to set health goals and resolutions, which were put into action with a special session dedicated to diabetes management and prevention when monthly meetings resumed on February 18.
The first step? Facing facts: 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the disease, but more alarmingly, 1 in 5 people are not aware they have it. Education and prevention are key to reducing those statistics — and health care costs, which are estimated at $327 billion dollars nationally for diagnosed individuals.
Alexis Harvey, SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic’s community health worker who leads the monthly sessions explained a vital screening step to the group: “It’s important to communicate with your health care provider about your family history so they can determine what screenings are necessary. We all should encourage the people we care about to also be screened.”
Harvey was joined by SAY Clinic’s on-staff health coach Janine Greene and Debby Miller, community health worker at Trinity Health, who provided key information about diabetes prevention classes that provide targeted guidance on how to implement lifestyle changes that fight Type 2 Diabetes. A new class is starting at the SAY Clinic in March — please call 734-655-8942 to register for an information session on March 3 to learn more about the class.
Even if you’re not at risk of developing diabetes, it’s never too late to develop healthy living habits — Green recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week along with health eating. Past events have helped participants learn about nutrition labels and patients at the clinic regularly receive “prescriptions” for fresh vegetables through a partnership with local urban garden.
In a special treat, a mini book club session also introduced participants to Harvey’s new and well-received self-published memoir, Reclaiming My Time. In a safe space where members regularly share their personal stories, it was a special opportunity to celebrate the support group leader’s raw and moving story.
