Originally published November 27 2005
Health officials alarmed by South Texas diabetes epidemic
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Texas state officials met this week at the Antonio Garcia Arts Center in Corpus Christi to discuss strategies for promoting statewide awareness of the problem and diabetes prevention methods.
Diabetes has become an epidemic in Corpus Christi, and the problem appears to be growing--even among children.
The epidemic has local and national leaders looking for ways to curb diabetes in our area.
U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, met with local health experts Saturday at the Antonio Garcia Arts Center to talk about prevention and ways to raise awareness.
Efforts to prevent diabetes in the Coastal Bend are constant.
Officials hold educational meetings and free diabetes screenings, but local health experts say the problem still is not getting any better.
Rick Hayley, a representative on the Texas Diabetes Council, said, "They need to be alarmed.
They need to take this very seriously."
Rick Hayley is a representative of the Texas Diabetes Council and is now helping U.S. Senator John Cornyn on prevention efforts--especially when it comes to children.
Hayley says diabetes in children has increased tremendously due to poor eating habits and lack of exercise.
To help bring those figures down, Senator Cornyn has introduced an amendment to the No Child Left Behind Act, which would reinstate a requirement of daily physical activity and physical education in schools.
But Hayley admits education needs to start at home, so that both adults and children can get the help they need before it's too late.
"It's not worth putting off going to the doctor to find out.
Our community has been known to not want to know that they have diabetes--or to put it off," he said.
Hayley says late detection leads to a lot of amputations.
Right now, Corpus Christi leads the nation in below-the-knee amputations due to diabetes per capita.
A spokesperson for Cornyn's office says the amendment should be considered early next year.
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