Diabetes affects millions of Americans every single day. According to the CDC, around 1.5 million Americans learn they have diabetes each year. 

American Diabetes Month is held every year in November to raise awareness and help people living with this illness. Events and classes are held to teach people about diabetes, answer questions, and help people learn to prevent or manage diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

The World Health Organization states 422 million people have Diabetes worldwide. According to the CDC, 

“Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy.”

What does that mean? 

Our bodies turn much of the food we eat into different types of sugars. Normally, when this happens, and our bodies recognise that our sugar levels have gone up, the pancreas will produce insulin which let’s our bodies use that sugar for energy.

But, if you have diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.

This can be dangerous because, over time, having too much sugar in our blood can lead to complications like heart disease, kidney disease, and vision problems.

Types of Diabetes 

There are two types of Diabetes that anyone can develop at any age.

• Type 1 Diabetes: In type 1 diabetes (this type used to be called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes) the body produces little to no insulin. It’s important to know that anyone can develop type 1 diabetes at any age. 

You can learn more about type 1 diabetes, including risk factors, symptoms, and treatment, here. 

• Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 used to be known as adult-onset Diabetes. However, type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in children and teens, especially in the US. In this type of diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin, and the body does not respond to the insulin that is made as well as it should. 

You can learn more about type 2 diabetes, including risk factors, symptoms, and treatment, here.

What Causes Diabetes?

Many people think that eating too much sugar causes diabetes. However, there are many risk factors that can make someone more likely to develop diabetes. According to the Mayo Clinic, these include:

• Genetics and family history
• Environmental factors
• Geography
• Race or ethnicity
• Inactivity
• Age
• Weight
• Certain medical conditions like prediabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

How to Prevent Diabetes

Although family history plays a big role, there are many steps you can take to lower your chances of getting diabetes. According to Harvard's School of Public Health, these include:

• Controlling your weight
• Getting exercise
• Eating a balanced, healthy diet
• Managing stress
• Quitting smoking

Of course, anyone can develop diabetes, even those who are healthy and active. So, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and talk to your doctor about anything that concerns you!

How can American Diabetes Month Help?

Every year during American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association chooses a theme to help focus their campaign. For instance, in 2019, the theme was "Count Me In." The focus of that theme was to help people learn about the risk factors of diabetes and to help them make healthy changes in their life.

Celebrating American Diabetes Month 2021

American Diabetes Month 2021 will focus on prediabetes and making healthy changes. Prediabetes is the stage of the disease before diabetes actually develops. And the good news is, that for many, it is easily reversible at this stage.  

Individuals with prediabetes have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal. THis is measured with a blood test called A1C. This test gives doctors an average of your blood sugar levels over the last 2-3 months.

The CDC states people with prediabetes have an A1C level of 5.7 to 6.4.

Although many people won't have symptoms of prediabetes, some might have symptoms of actual diabetes. According to the ADA, these symptoms can include:

• Being really tired 
• Losing a lot of weight
• Being hungry all the time
• Being thirsty all the time
• Having to urinate constantly

If you or a loved one has these symptoms, be sure to see your doctor.

During American Diabetes Month 2021, you can learn about prediabetes and take steps to help keep your blood sugar levels normal, or get them back to normal! 

What Can You Do to Help?

Diabetes can have serious, long-lasting effects on those living with it and their loved ones. And, while there is no cure, medication and lifestyle changes can help people with diabetes feel better and live longer, healthier lives.

With the help of American Diabetes Month 2021, you and your loved ones can help spread awareness on diabetes and join the fight to end it for good.

This November, you can make a difference in the life of someone living with epilepsy by participating in epilepsy awareness month!

Epilepsy is one of the oldest-known medical conditions, but many people still don't understand what it is, how many people it affects, or how they can help. During Epilepsy Awareness Month, The Epilepsy Foundation and other advocates work together to raise awareness on the challenges that people with epilepsy may face and support those living with epilepsy.

What is Epilepsy?

According to the CDC, epilepsy, or seizure disorder, is a medical condition where people have seizures. A seizure is a short change in brain activity. These seizures can last seconds or minutes and can happen at any time, to anyone, anywhere. This unpredictability can create unique challenges for those living with epilepsy. 

How Common Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is one of the most common conditions that affect the brain.

The Epilepsy Foundation says that:

• 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point in their lives
• 3.4 million people in the US are currently living with epilepsy
• There are 150,000 new cases of epilepsy every year

Who is at risk?

Epilepsy can happen to anyone, no matter how old they are. In fact, according to the Epilepsy Society, most people are diagnosed with epilepsy when they're still under 20 years old. 

Is there a cure?

There is no cure for epilepsy currently. However, the CDC has tips for people to help manage their seizures, including:

• Taking medicine.
• Talking with your doctor regularly
• Avoiding triggers like flashing lights
• Keeping a record of your seizures
• Getting good sleep
• Lowering stress

How can Epilepsy Awareness Month Help?

It's important to spread epilepsy awareness so people can know how to support someone with seizures and when to get help from a doctor. 

The National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke say that over 60% of people with epilepsy have focal seizures, meaning they don't shake and jerk like in more recognizable seizures.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, there are many types of seizures like absence seizures, where people stare off into space for a bit, febrile seizures that happen because of high fevers, and many more.

Epilepsy Awareness Month helps by sharing this information and raising awareness on the many types of seizures.

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During Epilepsy Awareness Month, You Can Help By:

• Learning first aid for seizures
• Donating to help pay for research
• Learning and spreading awareness about the different types of seizures
• Spreading awareness on how serious epilepsy can be
• Encourage people to recognize the signs and get help

What to Do if You See Someone Having a Seizure

It can be scary to see someone having a seizure. But knowing what to do can make a big difference. 

• Stay with the person until the seizure ends and they are fully awake. After it ends, help the person sit in a safe place. Once they are alert and able to communicate, tell them what happened in very simple terms.
• Comfort the person and speak calmly.
• Check to see if the person is wearing a medical bracelet or other emergency information.
• Keep yourself and other people calm.
• Offer to call a taxi or another person to make sure the person gets home safely.

Should I Call 911 if Someone is Having a Seizure?

Typically, seizures don’t require emergency medical attention. But certain conditions or situations can be more serious and require medical attention. 

According to the CDC, you should only call 911 in the following cases:

• The person has never had a seizure before.
• The person has difficulty breathing or waking after the seizure.
• The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
• The person has another seizure soon after the first one.
• The person is hurt during the seizure.
• The seizure happens in water.
• The person has a health condition like diabetes, heart disease, or is pregnant.

Of course, if you’re unsure, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you feel the person is in any danger.

What NOT to Do if You See Someone Having a Seizure

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, 

1. You should NEVER force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure.  Forcing something into the mouth of someone having a seizure can cause injuries like chipped teeth, cut gums, or even break someone's jaw.
2. DON'T restrain someone having a seizure. You’re more likely to hurt them than the seizure is. Most seizures end in a few seconds or a few minutes on their own.

Spreading Hope and Awareness

During this epilepsy awareness month, you can help spread education and hope just by sharing information. Join the fight to find a cure and raise awareness this epilepsy awareness month!

Learn more about how you can make a difference here!

Every October, National Dental Hygiene Month aims to raise awareness about the importance of regular dental care and good dental hygiene. 

Why is dental hygiene so important? 

Because oral health can have a big impact on our overall health. 

For example, did you know that poor oral health (like gum disease and tooth loss) are associated with higher rates of heart disease? 

Or that signs of some major health conditions can be seen in our teeth, gums, and mouth?

According to the Mayo Clinic, the following conditions can be linked to or affected by oral health: 

• Endocarditis
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Complications with birth or pregnancy
• Pneumonia
• Diabetes
• HIV/AIDS
• Osteoporosis
• Alzheimer’s Disease

And since there is no greater expert on the subject than a dentist, we decided to reach out to one of our Achievement members (who also happens to be a dentist!) for more information. 

Responses from a Dentist and Achievement Member 

What is the number one most important thing we can do for our dental hygiene?

“Keep your mouth clean and get regular dental checkups. Brushing and flossing are super important, but so are regular dental exams. Regular exams are crucial for finding issues like cavities and gum disease and some major health conditions while in an early stage.” 

Why is good dental hygiene important (besides for pretty teeth!)?

“Because your mouth is part of your body and it needs to be kept in good condition so your overall health is good.” 

How does good dental hygiene affect my overall health?

“For instance, 

• There is a connection between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease.
• Diabetes can be complicated by mouth sores or infections. 
• In children, if oral hygiene and nutrition are not good, it can affect growth of permanent teeth and can have an impact on speech.
• Oral health is more than just cosmetics. It can have financial implications, too. Individuals with broken or missing teeth often have difficulty finding work or face social stigmas.
• Problems with your teeth, gum, or mouth can cause headaches, sore teeth, etc.” 

Is flossing really important?

“Yes! It removes material that a brush can’t get to!” 

What is one thing you wish more people knew about oral health?

“That if you take care of your teeth, and handle any issues that do come up when they're small, you can save a lot of money and pain. And have a better experience at the dentist.” 

What else do you think we should know about oral health?

“I wish pediatricians and other providers would teach new mothers about the importance of oral health in their children” 

What is the best part about being a dentist?

“I like to help people feel better! There are a lot of fun challenges in dentistry, sophisticated procedures like implants and such. But, for me, helping someone with smaller, routine things like fillings can be just as rewarding.” 

Dena S. Babin, DDS

What is World Heart Day

World Heart Day is a global initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD) and provide education and resources for those living with CVD.

The goal — reduce mortality and improve quality of life.

Observed every year on September 29th, World Heart Day is the largest, global awareness campaign for heart health.

CVD accounts for almost half of all deaths due to non-communicable disease world wide. It’s the world’s number one killer and a burden shared by all.

The World Heart Federation and their global partners lead the initiative each year. But it’s individuals who keep the conversation going. By learning more and sharing what we learn, each of us can lend our voice to the conversation and do our part in saving lives all over the world.

What is CVD

The Cleveland Clinic defines cardiovascular disease as

“a group of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels of the body.”

This includes conditions like:

Arrhythmia

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

Heart Failure

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Aortic disease

Congenital heart disease

Pericardial disease

Cerebrovascular disease:

Deep vein thrombosis

It also includes heart attack and stroke. Two of the most serious complications of cardiovascular disease.

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According to the World Heart Federation,

“HEART DISEASE AND STROKE, IS THE WORLD’S LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH CLAIMING 18.6 MILLION LIVES EACH YEAR”

This year’s mission

“Harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention and management of CVD globally is our goal for World Heart Day 2021.”

Today more than ever before, technology is a leading factor in health outcomes. Virtual visits with medical providers, health and fitness apps, symptom trackers, medication reminders, all are available and accessible digitally.

As more organizations like the World Heart Federation embrace this resource, the divide in access to healthcare shrinks. Of course, there’s still a lot of work to do. And we all have a part to play.

What can you do

Get on social media and start sharing!

The World Heart Federation has plenty of resources that allow you to add your voice to the global conversation. You can share posts, videos, even create your own posters to share!

Raising awareness does more than spark conversation, it sparks funding and access to care for so many that are without. The more we talk openly about health-related issues, the more resources are available for everyone.

Stay on top of your health!

Keep track of your health with one of the many apps or technologies available.

Fitness apps are an incredible resource for tracking your health and activity. Paired with Achievement, you can monitor your activity data, receive opportunities to participate in medical research, and access important information and resources to help you manage your health where you are.

Resources

For sharing information

World Heart Federation Resource Center

Get Involved

For learning more

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21493-cardiovascular-disease

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm

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Pain is something we all experience from time to time, but for some people it’s a daily occurrence.

And the toll is not just physical, individuals with chronic pain suffer a variety of mental health effects as well.

According to the CDC, chronic pain is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care.

In 2016, they estimated that over 20% of adults in the US were living with chronic pain. And, since chronic pain is linked to high medical costs, opioid use, missed work, and decreased quality of life — it can take a huge toll on mental health.

Pain and Mental Health

Long-term or chronic pain can be physically debilitating and significantly alter quality of life. But the mental health effects are just as serious, and often overlooked.

To find out how much impact pain has on mood, we launched a study in 2018 to look at real-life effects in people with chronic pain. In this year-long study, we sent out surveys every 3-months asking about pain, mental health, and how much each person’s pain interfered with activities of daily life.

For the study to be valid, we had to ask individuals with chronic pain and those without the same questions.

As expected, those who identified as having chronic pain had higher pain levels over time than the group of participants without chronic pain.

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Individuals with chronic pain also reported higher levels of anxiety and depression.

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And, the people who said that their pain interfered with their quality of life, activities, and relationships, also had more depression and anxiety symptoms.

What does that mean?

Well, it tells us that physical pain and the effects of this pain on our lives may have real impact on our mental health as well.

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What can we take away from this? Chronic pain is a major challenge for many. And the challenges that people with chronic pain face may have a big impact on their physical and mental health.

By understanding how chronic pain interferes with daily living, we can work to help those living with it improve their mental health and live happier lives.

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They say the eyes are the windows to the soul.

They’re also how many of us observe the world around us.

So keeping them healthy is super important!

4 Tips for Keeping your Eyes Healthy

1. Protect your eyes from sun damage! UV light can damage your eyes. Be sure to wear sunglasses with UV protection and wear a hat if you’re going to be out in the sun for a while.
2. Step away from the screen! Too much screen time can have lasting effects on your eyes. Take breaks and use blue light filters if you can.
3. Eat healthy! Proper nutrients and healthy fats like Omega-3 are great for your eye health. Eating a balanced diet rich in these foods is an easy way to help maintain eye health.
4. Stay up-to-date on regular eye exams! Eye exams are just as important as other health screening routines, so be sure to get your eyes checked by an optometrist or ophthalmologist every year.

Want to learn more about what you can do to keep your eyes healthy? Click here for tips for the National Eye Institute.

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3 Reasons Regular Eye Exams are Important

1. Early diagnosis! Eye Exams can detect some major eye health issues like glaucoma or cataracts before you have symptoms. And early diagnosis can make a huge difference in treatment options.
2. Better performance at work or school! Even minor vision issues can significantly impact how well you do at work or school. And for children, the effects are drastic. Vision problems can have long-term effects on education if not caught early.
3. Detect other health issues! Eye exams can help detect and monitor other health issues like diabetes and thyroid disease — just another reason eye exams are crucial to maintaining good health.

Eye Exam Statistics

According to a 2018 study conducted by VSP Vision Care and YouGov, more and more people are skipping their annual eye exams despite knowing the importance of them!

By the numbers: The importance of eye exams

8 in 10 people (84 percent) rate vision as the most important sense, and nearly everyone (97 percent) agrees that having healthy eyes is important, but only half of people get annual eye exams.

Virtually no one (1 percent) knows that signs of serious diseases and conditions like high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, thyroid diseases, and certain types of cancers can be detected through an eye exam.

6 in 10 (61 percent) people worry about diabetes impacting their family’s health, but only 4 percent know that eye doctors can detect signs of diabetes through an eye exam.

More than two-thirds of parents worry about their children’s eye health more than their own, but only 12 percent of parents know children should receive their first eye exam at six months old.

After learning about the importance of annual eye exams, 9 in 10 (90 percent) survey respondents agree on the importance of annual eye exams.

How do Evidation Members Compare?

We asked our Evidation Members if they’d had an eye exam this year. What did they say?

Well, out of the 17,496 people who responded, Over 10,000 said yes — that’s over 57%!

So, while the majority of respondents have, it’s a small majority. Which means it’s important for us to share posts like this to help remind everyone — if you haven’t had your exam this year, schedule one now.

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Yellow Ribbons conjure many feelings.

They’re used to promote awareness of suicide prevention, missing children, numerous medical conditions (including several types of cancer). They remind us to support our troops and remember those missing or killed in action.

They’re also used to represent sarcoma awareness.

And, in honor of Sarcoma Awareness Month, we share this yellow ribbon today.

What is Sarcoma?

According to The National Foundation for Cancer Research,

“Sarcoma is a rare but deadly form of cancer affecting connective tissues such as fat, muscle, blood vessels, nerve, bone, deep skin and cartilage.”

There are two main types of sarcomas — soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas, but there are many subgroups. In fact, The Mayo Clinic lists over 70.

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Often called, “the forgotten cancer,” sarcoma is most commonly diagnosed in children.

But while considered a “rare” cancer, making up only 1% of all cancers, survival rates for those with sarcoma are low. And diagnosis and treatment are difficult.

That makes awareness critical!

Around 12,000–15,000 people are diagnosed with sarcoma each year in the US. For those battling sarcoma and their loved-ones, the “rarity” of this disease is no comfort.

To help do our part in raising awareness, we’ve compiled a list of resources and sources of additional information for those who’d like to learn more.

Resources

American Childhood Cancer Organization

Sarcoma Alliance

Sarcoma Foundation of America

Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC)

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Cancer Care

Johns Hopkins Sarcoma Center

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Men’s Health Matters — During International Men’s Health Week and Beyond

International Men’s Health Week is celebrated every year the week before Father’s Day. The focus of the event is on men’s health, wellness, and prevention — which is critical to lowering risk factors for disease.

Statistically, men tend to avoid routine medical care and avoid seeking medical care until much later than other genders.

A 2019 survey from the Cleveland Clinic’s MENtion it campaign highlights some of these statistics.‍

Why?

According to the Cleveland Clinic Survey, stereotypes and social conditioning surrounding gender play a large part.

“Why do men avoid the doctor? Stereotypes taught at a young age may be to blame. Two-fifths (41%) of men were told as children that men don’t complain about health issues.”

International Men’s Health week is an opportunity to focus on the specific health concerns men face, and a way to say, “Hey, guys, your health is important!”

It’s a great time to schedule events, have informed conversations, and raise awareness around men’s health and wellness.

But, the importance of men’s health doesn’t stop at the end of the week. It’s critical that we continue to focus on men’s health throughout the year and remind the men in our lives that they matter and that their health matters!

Regardless of gender, we can all play a part in helping men to feel confident seeking health care!

Luckily, today more than ever, there are many resources focused on the issue of men’s health! We’ve included a short list of resources below. And we encourage all men, everywhere, to remember that their health matters!

Resources

• MENtion it
• Men’s Health Month
• Talking About Men’s Health
• Men’sHealth
• The Good Men Project
• Men’s Health Resource Center

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At Evidation, we’re focused on meeting people where they are and helping them along their health journey. Our engaged community of members represents 96% of U.S. counties and includes individuals across ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This community puts us in a unique position to learn from one another and contribute to meaningful health research.

With a mission of helping people participate in better health outcomes, we're committed to identifying opportunities that are inclusive of all and educating ourselves on the social issues that are impacting the world. To truly achieve our mission of helping people participate in better health outcomes, we recognize we have more work to do. Our commitment going forward:

• Provide our members with educational content around health and race curated by our team of researchers.
• Put in place more inclusive study opportunities for members to participate in.
• Do our part as a research company to participate in inclusive clinical research practices to ensure diverse and generalizable results through diverse participant recruitment and participation.
• Hold ourselves accountable by reporting our progress out to our members.

We’re committed to supporting long-term systematic change and stand in solidarity with our Black teammates, Evidation Members, and the entire Black community. We know this is only the beginning of the conversation, and we need to continue to fight for equality. We’ll continue to listen, educate ourselves, take action, hold ourselves accountable, and pledge to do our best to support all communities to participate in better health outcomes.

An immediate change we’re pleased to share is that Evidation Members can now donate their rewards to these charities:

NAACP Legal Defense Fund

The Bail Project

Equal Justice Initiative

Center for Policing Equity

Loveland Foundation

American Civil Liberties Union

Black Girls Code

The Marshall Project

Southern Poverty Law Center

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