Diabetes awareness and advocacy will be the feature of the day at the Oklahoma Capitol on Monday. More than 25 vendors are expected to attend with remarks from experts starting at 11:00 a.m.
Senator Carri Hicks is the co-chair of the Legislative Diabetes Caucus.
“I really didn’t know that much about diabetes until my son was diagnosed, but since then, I’ve learned it is an epidemic in Oklahoma and nationwide,” said Hicks, D-Oklahoma City. “Over 34 million Americans have diabetes, and Oklahoma has experienced the highest increase in the disease in the nation. Twelve percent of our citizens, about 356,000 Oklahomans, have been diagnosed with diabetes, and over a million more have prediabetes – that’s about 35 percent of our state’s population. Monday’s event is an opportunity for those impacted by this disease to hear from experts, learn about services and products to help people better manage their health, and advocate to lawmakers.”
Hicks contends more needs to be done to support research, affordable medication, and better access to health care. Otherwise diabetes will continue to cost Oklahomans.
“Diabetes costs our state about $3.8 billion a year, and the human toll is horrific. Complications include heart disease, stroke, amputation, end-stage kidney disease, blindness, and death,” Hicks said. “Advocacy and awareness are critical as we work to pass and enact policies that will make a positive difference. I urge all who are impacted by this disease to make plans to join us for Diabetes Advocacy Day.”
