Beating Diabetes
Air Date: 04/15/2020
Called a “hidden national crisis,” diabetes is also a health crisis in Nebraska, impacting about 47 percent of our population. Here are a few numbers:
- 175,000 - Nebraskans with diabetes
- 487,000 - Nebraskans with pre-diabetes
- $1.2 billion - The cost of medical expenses for Nebraskans with diabetes or pre-diabetes
Source: American Diabetes Association
Beating Diabetes examines the scope and impact of diabetes in Nebraska; looks at different approaches to fighting it, including among at-risk population groups; and provides information related to modifiable risk factors like obesity and lack of physical activity.
Journalist Mike Tobias hosts the show, which includes a discussion with:
- Emily Knezevich - an associate professor with the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, a pharmacist and a certified diabetes educator who sees patients at her CHI practice.
- Virginia Chaidez - an assistant professor with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Education and Human Sciences, where she’s part of the Nutrition and Health Sciences program.
The program also features stories on:
- A Ponca Tribe of Nebraska diabetes lunch-and-learn program in Niobrara, where Sara Pfeifer, Special Diabetes Program for Indians project director, shared nutrition and other information.
- R.U.N./Marathon Kids, a Nebraska Extension effort in created by assistant extension educator and dietitian Beth Nacke in Fremont to get kids moving.
- Stephanie Schriner, a Grand Island woman who has been dealing with diabetes for 15 years, and is getting help from the Central District Health Department.
Beating Diabetes is produced to complement Blood Sugar Rising, a PBS special about the diabetes epidemic in the United States.
Featured Clips
Marathon Kids, a UNL extension program in Fremont, is getting middle school and high school-age kids moving. We show the program as part of a discussion of the importance of exercise in reducing Type 2 diabetes.
We talk with Ponca Tribe dietitian Sara Pfeifer and examine the tribe’s efforts to reduce Type 2 diabetes, visiting a healthy eating presentation and cooking demonstration event in Niobrara.
Related Links & Resources
Thousands of Nebraskans Battle Diabetes (Nebraska Public Media story, 4/2020)
Community-based diabetes programs in Nebraska
Nebraska DHHS diabetes fact sheet
Partners N Health Diabetes Self-Management Education
CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program
American Diabetes Association Neb/Iowa/SD
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease
Learning About Diabetes - simple, downloadable documents about diabetes in English and Spanish
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - includes good Type 1 diabetes information
"Your Health with Joan Lunden and CDC - mini-series on diabetes