Addressing a Rising Threat
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the last 15 years the number of people in the United States with diagnosed diabetes has more than doubled, reaching 17.9 million in 2007. They estimate that another 5.7 million have diabetes without knowing it. African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos are about twice as likely as white adults to have diabetes. The data for CVD is similarly alarming as it continues to be the number one cause of death for both African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos. Diabetes itself contributes to the risk of death from CVD. Overweight, obesity, lack of physical activity and smoking are major risk factors for both diabetes and CVD. Living in an environment where people experience discrimination or have limited access to health care, healthy food, and safe places to exercise compounds the problem. Communities, organizations, and private and public institutions must work together to look for a wide range of solutions to make our communities healthier.
To that end, CEED@Chicago will facilitate the development of a network of coalitions and organizations with a broad spectrum of interests. We will work together to implement projects that will positively impact the social and environmental factors influencing diabetes and CVD. We are looking for partners to join us in this endeavor and become a CEED@Chicago Coalition member.