The Patient Poll from the Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society finds more than a third of Pennsylvania adults believe a diabetes myth that the American Diabetes Association says isn’t true.
According to The Patient Poll findings, 37 percent of Pennsylvania adults believe eating too much sugar gives you diabetes.
However, the American Diabetes Association on its website says that’s not true. Eating too much sugar does not give you diabetes. But, eating too much food and not getting enough exercise can lead to diabetes. In other words, obesity can lead to diabetes.
In The Patient Poll study, Pennsylvanians overwhelmingly believe diabetes can affect people of all ages, that some forms of diabetes can be prevented, and diabetes can kill you. A large percentage also understands that insulin does not cure diabetes.
According to Margrit Shoemaker, MD, medical director of the Diabetes Center at Susquehanna Health in Williamsport, those assumptions are correct.
To improve the health of Pennsylvania’s diabetic population, screening of patients at increased risk of the disease must be improved. Once identified, the goals of treatment should be determined and therapy initiated. Treatment may include, along with a healthy diet and appropriate exercise, a variety of oral or injectable medications including insulin. None of these “cure the disease” but by normalizing glucose levels, along with control of blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors, Pennsylvanians will enjoy the benefits of reducing diabetic complications and improving their health.
The Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society recommends the following websites for additional information on diabetes.
|
Patient Poll Data
|
| Question |
Please answer "True" or "False" to each of the following statements about diabetes. |
| Results |
Statement
|
True
|
False
|
| Eating too much sugar causes diabetes. |
37% |
63% |
| Diabetes can affect people of all ages. |
99% |
1% |
| Diabetes primarily affects men. |
5.1% |
94.9% |
| Some forms of diabetes can be prevented. |
92.2% |
7.8% |
| Diabetes can kill you. |
98.3% |
1.7% |
| Insulin is used to cure diabetes. |
18% |
82% |
| Conducted |
Jan. 24, 2008 |
| Margin of Error |
5.67% |
| Eligibility |
Pennsylvania adults 21 or older |
| Survey Consultants |
Taylor Brand Group |