By Staci Elder Hensley
Diabetes is at epic proportions in the United States, and unfortunately Oklahoma is at the forefront of that epidemic. More than 200,000 adults and children in the state – nearly one in every 10 residents — have been diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and the state ranks ninth in the nation in diabetes- related deaths. One of the key reasons for this is that Oklahoma has large populations of Native Americans, Hispanics and African- Americans – all of whom have significantly higher rates of the disease.
“Just two decades ago, the adult form of diabetes (type 2) was almost unheard of in children. Today, because of the epidemic of obesity among our youth, type 2 diabetes is being seen commonly in adolescents and children,” said Kenneth Copeland, a pediatric endocrinologist with OU Children’s Physicians and director of the pediatric program at the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center.
Opened in 2007, the center provides state-of-the-art care for the state’s diabetics, as well as cutting-edge research into the disease. The facility joins only a handful of medical centers nationwide that specialize in diabetes treatment and research.
“The new (diabetes center) represents a strong statement on the part of our state legislators and civic-minded citizens that Oklahoma is determined to not only be reflective of the problem, but also to be a big part of the solution,” Copeland said.
“Unfortunately Oklahomans are carrying a disproportionate part of the diabetes burden because obesity is more prevalent in our children than those in almost all the rest of the country. In addition, both obesity and diabetes are far more common in ethnic minority populations, especially in Native Americans, so Oklahomans are affected even more disproportionately,” he said.
Even the state’s leaders aren’t immune. University of Oklahoma President and former U.S. Sen. David Boren is among those who face the daily challenges of living with diabetes. As well as adopting a new personal health regimen, he took public action, spearheading the creation of the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center.
Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that allows the body to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy. The exact cause isn’t yet known, but both genetics and lifestyle factors (like obesity and lack of exercise) play a key role. Diabetes is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes, amputations, blindness, coma, end-stage kidney failure and vascular disease. Only 50 percent of diabetics who have a heart attack ever reach the hospital alive. Children with diabetes often develop these disabling and life-threatening consequences as young adults.
In recent years, an epidemic of obesity in children and adults has led to a corresponding explosion of diabetes in people of all ages. Worse, about one-third of these individuals aren’t even aware they have the disease.
“Type 2 diabetes, having become more common among all age groups, now commonly affects young women and so has become a frequent complication of pregnancy. The children born of affected pregnancies are disadvantaged from birth, being at increased for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes later in life,” said Timothy Lyons, director of the diabetes center’s adult program.
The good news is that diabetes can be controlled through strict attention to diet and exercise, and the use of medicines like insulin.
“Since I have been diagnosed, I have been inspired by so many other people who suffer from the disease, especially young people who face a far more serious situation than I do,” Boren said. “I’ve learned from them that diabetes should not keep anyone from living a full life, but it requires greater personal discipline, particularly in terms of diet and exercise.”
Helping Oklahomans achieve that level of personal discipline is a key goal of the diabetes center. For example, one ongoing research study includes not only medical treatment, but intensive one-on-one education about diabetes management and motivation. Part of a nationwide study, the one-on-one approach is particularly helpful for children, who often have a more difficult time managing their disease than adults.
“On rare occasions a state is handed a great opportunity to become a national leader in an important field that will both serve the needs of its people and help develop its economy,” Boren said. “Oklahoma has been given that opportunity. The building of a national diabetes center has been the ideal area for the state government and our Native American tribes to work together financially and operationally as partners in a constructive way that benefits all.”
Originally published by Staci Elder Hensley.
(c) 2008 Journal Record – Oklahoma City. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
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