State rate of diabetes is 11.2%; numbers higher in Eastern Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 25, 2015) — In Kentucky the rate of diabetes is 11.2 percent, well above the national average of 8.5 percent, according to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Rates are even higher in Eastern Kentucky, topping 20 percent in some regions.
To help increase education and raise awareness about diabetes, public libraries in 29 Eastern Kentucky are being stocked with a book, “The Great Diabetes Epidemic: A Manifesto for Control and Prevention.”
The Friedell Committee for Health System Transformation and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) have distributed free copies of the book, along with discussion topics for book study groups to local public libraries throughout Eastern Kentucky. Staff at each library will decide how to incorporate the book into programming and study groups in conjunction with local health departments.
“Public libraries are uniquely positioned to be partners in this diabetes education outreach effort,” said State Librarian and Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives Commissioner Wayne Onkst.
Eastern Kentucky is part of an area known as the nation’s “diabetes belt,” which includes 644 counties in 15 states in the southeastern U.S..
The book is available to check out at public libraries in Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Rockcastle, Rowan, Whitley and Wolfe counties.
Add Comment