I take much pride and respect in highlighting a Black female health warrior Marilyn Anderson who happens to be my little sister. Marilyn is a Registered Dietitian and a seasoned Certified Diabetes Educator who has assisted diabetic Black folks in Detroit for over 30 years in reducing their diabetes complications and deaths from uncontrolled diabetes.
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| Marilyn Anderson |
As a health professional my sister possesses comprehensive knowledge of and experience in diabetes prevention, prediabetes, and diabetes management. Over the years Marilyn has taught hundreds of Black folks diabetes self-management skills to achieve individualized behavioral and treatment goals that reduce risks and optimize health outcomes. Moreover she's taught diabetic cooking classes to hundreds of Black folks.
For years Marilyn has been sounding the alarm that diabetes is an epidemic in African American communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control 4.9 million Blacks aged 20 years or older have diagnosed diabetes. African-Americans are 77% more likely to have diagnosed diabetes compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians. African American women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy face a 52% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future compared to non-Hispanic Caucasian women diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Diabetes and Heart Disease
When I founded Black Hearts Matter to reduce heart disease, my sister informed me that heart disease is common in Black people with diabetes; that diabetic patients have an increased risk of developing heart failure because of the abnormal cardiac handling of glucose and free fatty acids (FFAs), and because of the effect of the metabolic derangements of diabetes on the cardiovascular system.
Studies show that high blood sugar either damages the cells of the heart muscles or forces the heart to work harder due to damage to smaller blood vessels throughout the body and in the heart. Data from the National Heart Association shows 65% of people with diabetes will die from some sort of heart disease or stroke. In general, the risk of heart disease death and stroke are more than twice as high in people with diabetes.
Tackling the Pervasiveness of Diabetes
My sister has discussed with me numerous times over the years that Black folks must counter the diabetes epidemic through health self-determination by self-management that includes diet, physical activity (reduce obesity), and stress management. She says when people with type 2 diabetes are under mental stress they generally experience an increase in their blood glucose levels; when their under physical stress, their blood sugar can also increase.
Marilyn emphasizes that diabetes support groups must be established - there are few in our communities; diabetes support groups are important because diabetes affects much more than blood sugar. It can lead to sudden mood changes that may place an emotional strain on relationships and personal life. Family, relatives, and friends may struggle to understand these mood swings, but learning about how diabetes can affect mood and providing support can help promote stronger - healthier relationships.
Marilyn says much-much more diabetes education is needed in Black communities especially educating Black young adults and youth about diabetes prevention, along with much more diabetes advocacy from Black leadership!
For years Marilyn has been sounding the alarm that diabetes is an epidemic in African American communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control 4.9 million Blacks aged 20 years or older have diagnosed diabetes. African-Americans are 77% more likely to have diagnosed diabetes compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians. African American women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy face a 52% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future compared to non-Hispanic Caucasian women diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Diabetes and Heart Disease
When I founded Black Hearts Matter to reduce heart disease, my sister informed me that heart disease is common in Black people with diabetes; that diabetic patients have an increased risk of developing heart failure because of the abnormal cardiac handling of glucose and free fatty acids (FFAs), and because of the effect of the metabolic derangements of diabetes on the cardiovascular system.
Studies show that high blood sugar either damages the cells of the heart muscles or forces the heart to work harder due to damage to smaller blood vessels throughout the body and in the heart. Data from the National Heart Association shows 65% of people with diabetes will die from some sort of heart disease or stroke. In general, the risk of heart disease death and stroke are more than twice as high in people with diabetes.
Tackling the Pervasiveness of Diabetes
My sister has discussed with me numerous times over the years that Black folks must counter the diabetes epidemic through health self-determination by self-management that includes diet, physical activity (reduce obesity), and stress management. She says when people with type 2 diabetes are under mental stress they generally experience an increase in their blood glucose levels; when their under physical stress, their blood sugar can also increase.
Marilyn emphasizes that diabetes support groups must be established - there are few in our communities; diabetes support groups are important because diabetes affects much more than blood sugar. It can lead to sudden mood changes that may place an emotional strain on relationships and personal life. Family, relatives, and friends may struggle to understand these mood swings, but learning about how diabetes can affect mood and providing support can help promote stronger - healthier relationships.
Marilyn says much-much more diabetes education is needed in Black communities especially educating Black young adults and youth about diabetes prevention, along with much more diabetes advocacy from Black leadership!
Indeed I'm proud of my sister who is still today out on the diabetes battlefield forefront putting in work as a health warrior to do what she can against the diabetes epidemic gripping Black communities nationwide.
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