November is American Diabetes Month®

According to the American Diabetes Association® (ADA), diabetes is more than a disease — it's an epidemic that affects over 37 million Americans with devastating consequences. 

Here's why ADA calls diabetes an epidemic:

• 1.4M Americans are diagnosed each year
• 11.3% of Americans had diabetes in 2019
• 96M American adults are living with prediabetes

Myths about Diabetes from ADA

Myth: People with diabetes need to eat "special" food.

• Fact: If you have diabetes, you do not need special food. Foods with special “diabetes-friendly” claims may still raise blood glucose levels, be more expensive, and/or contain sugar alcohols that can have a laxative effect.

Myth: You can catch diabetes from someone else.

• Fact: No, you cannot catch diabetes from someone. Although we don't know exactly why some people develop diabetes and others don’t, we know diabetes is not contagious. It can't be caught like a cold or flu.

Myth: If you have diabetes, you cannot eat starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes, and pasta

• Fact: Starchy foods can be part of a healthy meal plan, but portion size is key. These foods tend to have more carbs and eating them will raise your blood glucose.

For more facts and myths, visit Know Your Facts About Diabetes.

Additional Resources Affiliated with American Diabetes Association

• Diabetes Food Hub^®
• Shop Diabetes
• DiabetesPro^®
• Know Diabetes by Heart^™
• Consumer Guide

For more resources, please email your questions to an LHI librarian at health-info@osu.edu, or call us at (614) 293-3707. All information is free and confidential.

The Library for Health Information is here for you. To find out more, visit the LHI webpage.