Diabetes Awareness Month: Screening for Adults Over 35
Diabetes Awareness Month: Adults Over 35 Need Routine Screening
About 40.1 million Americans have diabetes, and 115.2 million adults have prediabetes, according to the CDC's 2023 National Diabetes Statistics Report. Type 2 diabetes can develop without any noticeable symptoms, making routine screening through your primary care provider essential for catching it early. Adults over the age of 35, or those with risk factors like family history or high blood pressure, should talk to their provider about getting screened.
Type 2 diabetes can develop for years without noticeable symptoms. That makes November, National Diabetes Awareness Month, a good time to schedule the screening that could change the course of your health. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in adults ages 35 to 70 years, particularly those who are overweight or have obesity. Your primary care provider can offer these labs.
These labs can show how your body processes sugar and help you make informed choices based on your needs. Chesapeake Regional Healthcare offers resources from primary care screening to a year-long Diabetes Prevention Program designed to help you take control of your health.
Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Differ in Cause and Treatment
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that leads to a deficiency in insulin, the hormone that allows sugar to be used for energy. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body struggles to respond to insulin appropriately, which can also lead to insulin deficiency over time. Understanding the distinction matters because screening recommendations, prevention strategies and treatment plans differ for each type.
Multiple Risk Factors Determine Who Should Get Screened
Screening is recommended for adults over the age of 35 or adults who are overweight or have obesity. Additional risk factors include:
- A first-degree relative with diabetes (parent or sibling)
- High-risk race or ethnicity (e.g., African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander)
- History of cardiovascular disease, PCOS or gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Low HDL cholesterol (<35 mg/dL) or high triglycerides (>250 mg/dL)
- Physical inactivity or sedentary lifestyle
If results are normal, you should repeat the screening every 3 years (or sooner if risk factors change or increase). If you have diabetes and are at goal, plan to re-check every 6 months. If you have diabetes and are not at goal, or changes have been made to medications, check every 3 months. You can also take the Type 2 diabetes risk test online to see where you stand.
Three Pillars Support Effective Diabetes Management
Exercise, nutrition and medication adherence are often described as the three pillars of Type 2 diabetes management and overall health. Stress and sleep also play a key role. The goal is consistency and balance across these areas, not perfection.
Speaking with a registered dietitian or a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES) can help you feel equipped to take control of your health. These professionals tailor their guidance to your individual needs and help you build a sustainable plan. If you're balancing your own wellness with the demands of family life, having clear, manageable steps makes all the difference.
Chesapeake Regional's Prevention Program Provides Year-Long Support
Chesapeake Regional offers a year-long lifestyle change program called the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). The program provides education, support, accountability and encouragement from trained lifestyle coaches. You may benefit if you:
- Have been told you have prediabetes
- Have elevated blood sugar or A1C levels
- Are overweight
- Have a family history of diabetes
- Had gestational diabetes
- Are physically inactive
Want support making healthier lifestyle changes? Take the First Step Toward Diabetes Prevention
Diabetes screening, prevention and management are within your reach. Routine screening through your primary care provider catches diabetes before symptoms appear, giving you the information you need to make proactive choices. If a parent or sibling has diabetes, your own screening becomes even more important because a first-degree relative with the disease is a significant risk factor.
Whether you need routine labs, want to understand your personal risk or nutrition needs, or you are ready for a structured prevention program, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare has many resources to support you. Our Diabetes Prevention Program offers a full year of coaching, education and accountability from trained lifestyle coaches. The health choices you make now set the tone for the people who count on you most.
Schedule a screening or learn more about our Diabetes Prevention Program or nutrition counseling at ChesapeakeRegional.com or call 757-312-8121.
