Does National Diabetes Awareness Month Still Matter in 2020?
National Diabetes Awareness Month 2020
It’s November! We’ve made it to the eleventh of the twelve months of 2020, a year that has brought more disruption and turmoil than ever thought possible. And yes, even in a year such as this, as a community, we will observe November as National Diabetes Awareness Month.
In the weeks leading up to this month, I’ve had friends and clients confess that they’re feeling like diabetes isn’t that big of a deal in the scheme of things this year. They’ve said they feel guilty for prioritizing their own challenge(s) or asking for financial contributions to support organizations that are important to them in the diabetes community.
I get it. I really do. I’ve had some of those same doubts, wondering if it's selfish to be concerned with a cause that affects me when there are so many other humans facing what feel like insurmountable challenges at this time.
If you’re struggling to put NDAM into perspective this year, let me lay out three simple reasons why it still matters, even in this most difficult year.
1. People are still being diagnosed with diabetes, even during COVID. Rates of DKA are up, which some might infer having to do with a combination of PWD with COVID having difficulty managing illness and/or hesitance to visit emergency rooms because of the fear of getting sick by exposure in the ER. Some studies have indicated that COVID may trigger new-onset T1D. People need to know the signs and symptoms of undiagnosed T1D so they can get help before it’s too late.
Observe NDAM this year because people are still at risk of a missed diabetes diagnosis and we have the responsibility to do what we can to prevent that from happening.
2. People living with diabetes are at higher risk for complications from COVID, if they contract the virus. There’s dispute in the community about who is MOST at risk between T1D and T2D, “normal” A1C and high A1C, etc. There’s still so much we do not know. There is still significant concern for PWD about landing in the hospital for any reason, especially during COVID, since attention paid to T1D management is often inconsistent and most hospital policies are not allowing caregivers to stay with the patient.
Observe NDAM this year to educate people about diabetes, correcting misinformation and eliminating stigma, to improve outcomes for all people with all types of diabetes.
3. Organizations that support people with diabetes (research, psychosocial support, healthcare policy, patient advocacy, insulin access and affordability, improvements in therapy, etc.) still need support, at the same time as there are so many worthy, timely causes that need our attention and volunteer labor and dollars right now due to this year’s events. Research needs continual support to move forward, hospitals and clinics need to fund vital psychosocial support staff and clinicians to take care of the whole person with diabetes, legislators need to hear from the people to know how we feel about policies that affect our health and well-being (especially when it comes to insurance and insulin access), even during a pandemic, economic, and social crises.
Observe NDAM this year to help direct attention, volunteer labor, and/or dollars to organizations and causes aligned with your values that support people with diabetes.
**If you are not feeling aligned with a diabetes organization right now, that’s okay. It’s always an option to find someone in your own community and help them directly. There’s always something we can do to be of service, even if that’s the simple act of taking care of ourselves first.
A short reminder here to keep in mind that you can want a cure or better treatments or a healthier future with diabetes AND still care about people staying safe from COVID, making sure families can put food on the table, and amplifying the experiences of people who struggle to be heard.
It’s okay to be concerned about your health and well-being AND that of other people in potentially more challenging circumstances.
Your experience and concerns are valid.
If you’re not able to muster the emotional bandwidth to get in the trenches of NDAM this year, that’s okay. Observe NDAM in a way that feels fitting to you. Taking care of yourself, physically, emotionally, and mentally counts just the same.
Wherever you are right now and whatever you’re going through, this community is connected by our diabetes experience (no matter how different).
Sending my best to you, this November and always.