November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to focus on raising awareness about diabetes and supporting those affected by the condition. At Housatonic Valley Health District (HVHD), we are committed to providing resources and information to help you manage and prevent diabetes.
Community Health Data: A Look at Diabetes in HVHD Towns
We are excited to share that we have updated HVHD’s Community Profiles Dashboard, highlighting data from the CDC PLACES report. This dashboard allows you to compare diabetes prevalence across our health district for 2021 and 2022. By reviewing these trends, we can better understand the health challenges our community faces and work towards tailored interventions. Here are some key findings from towns in our region:
- New Milford: Diagnosed diabetes rose from 7.9% in 2021 to 9.4% in 2022.
- Oxford: Diagnosed diabetes increased from 8.3% in 2021 to 10% in 2022.
- Sharon: Diabetes prevalence slightly rose from 10.9% in 2021 to 11.5% in 2022.
- Southbury: Diagnosed diabetes grew from 10.1% in 2021 to 10.7% in 2022.
- Washington: The percentage increased from 9.0% in 2021 to 11% in 2022.
- Woodbury: Diagnosed diabetes went up from 8.6% in 2021 to 9.7% in 2022.
These trends highlight the growing prevalence of diabetes in our community, underscoring the importance of awareness and preventive measures. You can explore more data and insights by visiting our Community Profiles Dashboard here.
NOTE: CDC PLACES Recent Release – August 2024
The PLACES 2024 update includes 40 health measures, mostly based on 2022 data. New measures were added for social needs like food insecurity and housing insecurity. Two older measures—chronic kidney disease and preventive services for older adults—were removed. Changes were made to how certain measures are named and defined, like renaming “current asthma” and adjusting definitions for cholesterol screening. The 2024 release is the first to use Census 2020 population data, making it more accurate. Also, estimates for four measures were recalculated to match these new Census updates.
Diabetes Resources
Here are some key resources to support education, prevention, and early detection:
- American Diabetes Association (ADA):
- Website: https://www.diabetes.org
- The ADA offers a comprehensive resource for diabetes management, including meal planning, recipes, and tips for leading a healthy lifestyle. Their “Food and Nutrition” section includes numerous diabetes-friendly recipes.
- Diabetes Food Hub (from the American Diabetes Association)
- Website: https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org
- This is a dedicated recipe platform from the ADA, featuring hundreds of diabetes-friendly recipes with filters for different dietary preferences, meal types, and more. It also includes meal planning and grocery list tools.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Diabetes
- Website: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes
- The CDC provides extensive diabetes education, prevention strategies, and management tips. Although it does not offer recipes directly, it links to resources that help people with diabetes adopt healthier eating habits.
Upcoming HVHD Events
This month, HVHD is hosting a number of events focused on health and wellness, including opportunities for screenings and health education:
- Brain Changes as You Age with Dr. Imperioli
- Date: November 14
- Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Location: Southbury Senior Center
*HVHD’s community-specific events are developed as a result of ongoing partnerships with local organizations in each community. If you see an event organized for a neighboring community that you would like to bring to your own town, please complete this form.
We encourage you to explore the HVHD dashboards to gain more insights into our community’s health. Your feedback is invaluable—please share your thoughts and suggestions with us via our feedback survey. Additionally, consider participating in local health programs and events designed to foster a healthier community.
