We typically choose where we live based on a number of factors: location, weather, price, etc. But we rarely take into consideration how where we choose to live affects our health. Do you live in an area prone to wildfires? This can affect your lungs. Do you live in an area with limited access to healthy food options? This may put you at an increased risk for obesity, high blood pressure, etc. You may even be living in a hotspot for diabetes complications.
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Are you living in a hotspot for diabetes complications?
If you're wondering about your risk for diabetes-related complications, a study has pinpointed two west coast locations at risk.
Texas and Florida are big U.S. centers for Americans dealing with short- and long-term complications, a new study shows.
The findings could help direct support to people who need it the most, according to the researchers.
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"Our analysis has enabled us to create a map of the United States that showcases hot spots of different diabetes complications and any demographic information associated with these areas," says study leader Jacques Lowe, a medical student with a focus on diabetes at Carle Illinois College of Medicine in Champaign.
Common diabetes health complications include heart disease, chronic kidney disease, nerve damage, and problems with feet, vision and oral health.
Lowe and his colleagues culled information from Medicare and other public databases on diabetes complications in more than 3,000 U.S. counties. The researchers fed the data into geospatial analysis software, which revealed high long-term diabetes complication rates in counties in Florida and Texas.
So, which locations have the lowest rates of complications?
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Counties in the West and Great Plains had low rates of long-term complications, according to findings presented at a meeting of the Endocrine Society, in Atlanta and online.
Research presented at meetings is typically considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Short-term complication rates were highest in Florida and Texas, as well as in some areas of the West Coast.
If you're wondering if you have an increased risk of developing complications, researchers say certain groups have a heightened risk.
Compared to cold spots, hot spots had higher percentages of Hispanic diabetes patients and Black patients and were more common in densely populated areas, researchers found.
"Our hope is that by using these findings as a guide we can better concentrate our support to mitigate the complications of diabetes in these populations," Lowe said in a meeting news release.
The results suggest that certain regions and groups of Americans are at increased risk for diabetes complications.
"Our research team is making strides to better understand the regions and populations most affected by diabetes so we can help those most in need," Lowe adds.
Preventing diabetes complications
Diabetes can lead to several complications and there are several causes outside of where you live. The good news, however, is that you can prevent or delay these complications by being proactive and making the right lifestyle changes. Looking to get started? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on how to successfully prevent diabetes complications.
