Diabetes Increases COVID-19 Risks
This content was created as part of the Michigan Vaccine Project, a three-year vaccine education effort supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Information was current as of the date of publication.
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EmailNovember is National Diabetes Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness and providing evidenced-based resources on risk, prevention, support systems, and education on the different types of diabetes.
Diabetes has a profound impact on the health and safety of approximately 422 million individuals worldwide and 10.2% of Michiganders. You may be thinking, “this doesn’t apply to me. I don’t live with diabetes.” However, one in three adults in the United States unknowingly live with prediabetes. Prediabetes can be associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
During the early months of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it was identified that individuals with chronic medical conditions were more likely to become very ill with COVID-19, including those with diabetes. A recent study revealed six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic medical condition or more. These conditions include, but are not limited to, diabetes, stroke, cancer, chronic lung diseases, and heart diseases. Comorbidities is the term that refers to an individual living with two or more medical conditions. Comorbidities increase the likelihood of hospitalization after contracting COVID-19. In severe cases, patients may be moved to a hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), be placed on a ventilator, and experience long-term health complications, or even death.
It is important to remember that fully vaccinated individuals, including those with diabetes, are at a reduced risk of serious complications from COVD-19. Management and prevention of diabetes is vital but does not happen overnight. The most immediate way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated.
An article from Michigan State University Extension, Preventing and managing diabetes and chronic health conditions, states that about one in three Americans are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, with healthy lifestyle modifications, the onset of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be delayed or even prevented.
For additional diabetes education, check out Michigan State University Extension’s diabetes resources and a helpful article, Small steps to help manage diabetes and prevent infections.
Talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated for COVID-19. To learn more about vaccinations and vaccine preventable diseases, visit Michigan State University Extension’s, Michigan Vaccine Project, a program committed to providing evidence-based resources so you and your family can make informed health and vaccine decisions.
