Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into blood sugar to use for energy. There are three types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, accounting for 90-95% of cases. According to the CDC, almost 15% of adults in the United States have diabetes.
Diabetes affects the immune system and consequently increases the chances of someone with diabetes getting sick, staying sick longer, and getting very sick. People with diabetes have higher blood sugar levels more frequently than someone without diabetes; high blood sugars make it harder for the immune system to fight infections. When someone with diabetes gets sick, it is harder to manage their blood sugar levels, making it harder to fight the illness and recover.
Because people with diabetes have a higher risk of serious illness, it is especially important to stay up to date on vaccinations. Vaccines work by giving the immune system instructions on how to fight off a virus, protecting them from getting severely ill.
The November Resources (ZIP) below includes materials that can be shared with your groups.
