Department of Virginia

VA Continuing Diabetes Education Drive

Posted at 03:24 PM on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 by Virginia A/Q

WASHINGTON (November 13, 2007) - Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield said today the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to expand its efforts to prevent and control diabetes as part of an ongoing campaign to help veterans eat healthy, watch their weight and stay physically active.

"With over 25 percent of VA patients living with diabetes, it is important to find ways to bring this disease under control," said Mansfield. "VA is doing more than ever to educate our veterans, research this disease and provide the type of specialized care that diabetes demands."

Mansfield noted the Department has provided diabetic care to 70,000 veterans in more than 200,000 hospital and clinic visits since 2005.

Mansfield said VA plans to keep expanding its diabetes awareness effort as part of the Department's broader HealthierUS Veterans campaign. Last year, television stations around the nation aired more than 3,000 VA-produced broadcasts about eating healthy and staying active. The Department held a symposium for health care professionals in Washington, D.C., and several public events around the country to inform veterans of the dangers of diabetes.

Annual evaluations of veterans with diabetes show small but continuing improvements in tested levels of blood sugar, LDL cholesterol and blood pressure with treatment, including weight management.

Read more