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Key Goals of American Diabetes Month:
5. Innovation and Research

Highlighting Breakthroughs: American Diabetes Month is a time to share the latest scientific advances in diabetes care, including new treatments, medications, and technologies like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps. The campaign often features clinical trials and cutting-edge research that offer hope for future advancements in care.
Focus on Prevention: The campaign often emphasizes prevention, particularly for Type 2 diabetes, where lifestyle changes can make a significant difference. Programs like the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) are promoted as effective tools in reducing the risk of developing diabetes.

6. Community Engagement and Fundraising

Walks, Rides, and Fundraising Events: Many communities organize walks, rides, and other events to raise funds for diabetes research and support services. The ADA’s Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes and Tour de Cure are popular events that encourage people to get involved and contribute to diabetes care and prevention efforts.
Personal Stories and Advocacy: People affected by diabetes are encouraged to share their stories during the month, helping to humanize the condition and inspire others. This form of storytelling is powerful in mobilizing public support for further research and funding.

Key Goals of American Diabetes Month:

3. Support and Resources

Resources for People with Diabetes: The campaign provides individuals and their families with tools and resources to manage diabetes. This includes information on how to monitor blood sugar levels, take medication, manage diet, and avoid complications.
Mental Health Support: Living with diabetes can be overwhelming, which is why the campaign also focuses on the emotional and mental health aspects of diabetes management. Stress management and access to counseling or support groups are often promoted during the month.
Caring for Complications: Education around the complications that can arise from uncontrolled diabetes—such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease—encourages patients to take proactive steps toward effective management.

4. Advocacy and Policy

Affordable Care and Access: One of the campaign’s primary objectives is advocating for better access to affordable care, medications, and technology (such as insulin and glucose monitors). It also supports policy changes that expand healthcare access for underserved populations.
Workplace and School Support: Advocacy efforts extend to ensuring that workplaces and schools accommodate the needs of individuals with diabetes, allowing them to manage their condition effectively without discrimination.
Federal and State Policy Changes: The ADA and other organizations use American Diabetes Month to push for increased federal and state funding for diabetes research and prevention programs, ensuring more robust efforts toward combating the disease.

American Diabetes Month, observed every November, is a national campaign led by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to bring attention to the diabetes epidemic in the United States. It is a month dedicated to increasing awareness, promoting education, and advocating for better care and prevention of diabetes. Given that diabetes affects over 37 million Americans, with millions more at risk for developing the disease, the campaign serves as an important platform for driving impactful change.
Key Goals of American Diabetes Month:
1. Raising Awareness

Public Awareness Campaigns: The campaign emphasizes the seriousness of diabetes, its potential complications, and the need for early detection and treatment. By focusing on both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as well as gestational diabetes and prediabetes, it educates the public on how these conditions differ and why it's critical to stay informed.
Reaching At-Risk Communities: Part of the goal is to engage populations most at risk, such as individuals with a family history of diabetes, certain ethnic groups (such as African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans), and those who are overweight or sedentary.

2. Education

Understanding Diabetes: Providing clear, accessible information about what diabetes is, its symptoms, and its risk factors is a primary focus. This involves explaining how the disease affects the body, the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and how to manage the condition effectively.
Nutrition and Lifestyle Education: The campaign heavily emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing and managing diabetes. Nutrition tips, exercise recommendations, and guidelines for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels are provided to the public.
Prediabetes Awareness: With over 96 million adults in the U.S. living with prediabetes, the campaign highlights the importance of recognizing early warning signs and taking steps to prevent the progression to Type 2 diabetes.

“Down syndrome does not define us as people. It is a condition that makes it harder for us to learn, but with patience and persistence, we are able to contribute to our society.”

David Egan, Former Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger

Down Syndrome Symptoms

Down syndrome can also cause intellectual and developmental symptoms that lead to cognitive impairment, which means challenges with thinking and learning. Like the physical symptoms, they vary and can range from mild to moderate. Some common cognitive problems include:

Short attention span
Poor judgment
Impulsive behavior
Slow learning
Delayed language and speech development

What is Down Syndrome?

Down Syndrome Symptoms

The extra copy of chromosome 21 changes how a baby’s body and brain develop, which can cause mental and physical differences. The physical symptoms of Down syndrome vary from person to person, but they commonly include:

A flattened facial profile
Short neck, with excess skin at the back of the neck
Small head, ears, and mouth
Decreased muscle tone or loose joints

Down syndrome is one of the most common types of intellectual disabilities. So it’s no surprise that each year in October we recognize National Down Syndrome Awareness Month to raise public awareness about the condition, and advocate for acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

People with Down syndrome still face stereotypes and myths, but they’ve shown time and again that the condition is just one part of who they are and doesn’t define them or limit their abilities. That’s why it’s so important that during National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and all year long, we help spread the message of love, acceptance, inclusion, and respect.

Down syndrome is a condition in which a person is born with an extra chromosome, the packets of genes that determine how our bodies form and function. A baby is typically born with 46 chromosomes, but a baby with Down syndrome has an extra copy or part of a copy of one of those chromosomes, chromosome 21.

Jounen Kwéyòl is an annual celebration of Creole culture, particularly observed in Saint Lucia, Dominica, and other parts of the Caribbean where Creole heritage is strong. Held on the last Sunday of October, it showcases the region’s vibrant language, music, dance, food, and traditional attire, offering a window into the islands' rich Afro-Caribbean and French colonial history.
Key Aspects of Jounen Kwéyòl:

Traditional Attire: Participants wear colorful Madras fabric and traditional Creole clothing, symbolizing the unique cultural identity.

Creole Music and Dance: The event is filled with energetic Creole music, including genres like Zouk, Bouyon, and Quadrille, with performances involving traditional instruments such as drums and guitars.

Cuisine: Traditional Creole dishes such as bakes and saltfish, green fig and saltfish, bouillon, and s***e are prepared and enjoyed during the festival, reflecting the island’s culinary heritage.

Language and Folklore: Creole (Kwéyòl) is widely spoken during the event, and folklore stories passed down through generations are shared, preserving oral traditions.

Jounen Kwéyòl brings communities together in celebration of their shared history, promoting the preservation of Creole culture for future generations. It is a joyful, colorful, and deeply meaningful event for many in the Caribbean.

Teaching points for prenatal or postpartum education on safe sleep include:

Exclusive breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of SIDS.
Newborns and new parents sleep better when in close proximity.
Always place infants on their back for any sleep.
Do not allow any smoking in the home. Encourage and provide information to help women stop smoking during pregnancy.
Swaddling has not been shown to reduce the risk of and may increase the risk of overheating and SIDS. Avoid swaddling during times of sleep.
Do not use couches or chairs for nighttime feedings.
Do not co-sleep if either parent smokes or is using alcohol or drugs which can alter responding to the baby.

All surfaces that an infant might be sleeping on needs to be safe. This includes cribs, cots, playpens, and the parental bed (if the mother falls asleep while feeding). A safe sleep surface includes:

Firm mattress
Well-fitting sheet
No blankets or pillows
No bumper pads
Use only equipment designated and approved for infant sleep
No surface that can entrap an infant
No toys or pets sharing the same sleep surface
Avoid swaddling or clothing that can cause overheating

Fast Facts About SIDS

SIDS is a sudden and silent medical disorder that can happen to an infant who seems healthy.
SIDS is sometimes called “crib death” or “cot death” because it is associated with the time when the baby is sleeping. Cribs themselves don’t cause SIDS, but the baby’s sleep environment can influence sleep-related causes of death.
SIDS is the leading cause of death among babies between 1 month and 1 year of age.
About 1,360 babies died of SIDS in 2017, the last year for which such statistics are available.
Most SIDS deaths happen in babies between 1 month and 4 months of age, and the majority (90%) of SIDS deaths happen before a baby reaches 6 months of age. However, SIDS deaths can happen anytime during a baby’s first year.
Slightly more boys die of SIDS than girls.
In the past, the number of SIDS deaths seemed to increase during the colder months of the year. But today, the numbers are more evenly spread throughout the year.
SIDS rates for the United States have dropped steadily since 1994 in all racial and ethnic groups. Thousands of infant lives have been saved, but some ethnic groups are still at higher risk for SIDS.

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month!

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a term used to describe the sudden and unexpected death of a baby less than 1-year-old in which the cause was not obvious before investigation. These deaths often happen during sleep or in the baby’s sleep area. More than 1 out of 3 of sudden unexpected infant deaths that occur in the United States each year are from SIDS. Recent research also shows that unsafe bedding, such as soft or loose blankets in baby’s sleep area, remains a leading cause of infant death

Right to foods for a better life and a better future

‘Foods’ stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability, and safety. A greater diversity of nutritious foods should be available in our fields, in our markets, and on our tables, for the benefit of all.

What is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day 2024?

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is an annual observance dedicated to honoring and remembering babies who have died due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. This day provides a space for parents, families, and individuals to acknowledge their grief and pay tribute to the lives of the precious babies they have lost. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day also aims to raise awareness about the emotional and psychological challenges faced by those who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss and to promote support and compassion within communities.
When is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day 2024?

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is observed annually on October 15th. In 2024, this significant day falls on a Sunday, offering a meaningful opportunity for individuals, families, and communities to come together to remember and support those affected by pregnancy and infant loss.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s a trigger 31 days in the fall of pink-ribbon reminders of a disease that forever changed them. For others, it’s a chance to show their support for the more than 2 million women around the world who are diagnosed with the disease each year.

Understanding the goals behind the global campaign and the emotions felt by the many different people living with the disease may help you decide if and how you want to commemorate the month.

What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international health campaign that’s held every October. The month aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects 2.3 million women worldwide. Known best for its pink theme color, the month features a number of campaigns and programs conducted by groups ranging from breast cancer advocacy organizations to local community organizations to major retailers aimed at:

Supporting people diagnosed with breast cancer, including those with metastatic breast cancer

Educating people about breast cancer risk factors

Encouraging women to go for regular breast cancer screening starting at age 40 or earlier, depending on personal breast cancer risk

Fundraising for breast cancer research

Within the month of October, there are also specific dates designed to raise awareness of specific groups within the breast cancer community.

October 13th marks Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals battling this devastating disease.

What is metastatic breast cancer (MBC)?

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is Stage 4 breast cancer that has spread from the original location in the breast to other areas of the body.

The term “metastatic” or “metastasis” is used to define the process by which cancer cells spread to other areas of the body. Metastatic breast cancer is also called advanced breast cancer or distant breast cancer.

Metastatic breast cancer is when the cancer has started to spread to other parts of the body.

When breast cancer recurs, or returns, to another part of the body months or years after the initial breast cancer diagnosis and treatment (also referred to as distant recurrence), it is called metastatic breast cancer. When the first diagnosis of breast cancer is metastatic, it is called de novo metastatic breast cancer. This typically means that the cancer has already spread out of the breast and into other areas of the body by the time the initial diagnosis of breast cancer is made.

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) makes up 85% of breast cancer cases. The most common distant areas for invasive ductal breast cancer to spread to are the bones, lungs, liver, and brain. Another type of breast cancer, invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), makes up about 12% of breast cancers. When ILC spreads, it usually travels to different organs, primarily the uterus, ovaries, stomach, intestines, and sometimes brain.

There is currently no cure available for metastatic breast cancer, but more and more women are living longer with the disease by managing it as a chronic illness with a focus on quality of life as a primary goal. The focus of treatment is to control the disease through continuous treatment and monitoring.

From our Lab Services family to yours!

4 Symptoms Of ADHD By Age Group

Preschool through 2nd grade​
Has trouble getting started and needs to stop and listen.

Grades 3 through 7
Rushes through homework assignments and produces sub-par work.

Teens
Has a hard time remembering assignments and often forgets to write them down.​

Adults
Easily distracted from day-to-day tasks and often loses things like wallets, phones and keys.

Why is ADHD awareness important?

Awareness about ADHD has grown a lot in the past few decades. As the knowledge of the condition grows, so does the likelihood that people will have access to the resources they need to manage it.

Before ADHD awareness, many people with the condition may have had challenges understanding their symptoms. Today, it can be much more likely that someone experiencing symptoms will get a professional diagnosis and treatment.

For instance, women and girls have received ADHD diagnoses less frequently, leading some experts to believe that “girls don’t get ADHD.” The reality is that symptoms tend to manifest differentlyTrusted Source for people.

Some experts also believe females tend to be better at “masking” symptoms. But thanks to increased awareness and education, more women and girls receive the diagnoses and treatment they need.

Ultimately, ADHD is a nondiscriminatory condition, meaning that it can affect people from all walks of life.

Since there are millions of people, including 6.1 million U.S. childrenTrusted Source, with ADHD, maybe someone you know may have it. Knowledge of the way it manifests can increase understanding and empathy about symptoms.

While symptoms, like challenges maintaining productivity, may be labeled by teachers as laziness, for instance, it’s important to understand that ADHD is a legitimate neurodevelopmental condition that can significantly affect how people perform everyday tasks.

Raising awareness is essential to:

promote early diagnoses
get proper treatment
access support systems

From the classroom to the office, education is critical to making the world more accessible for more people who are neurodivergent, including those with ADHD.

When does the month take place?

ADHD Awareness Month is observed in October each year.

Because the month allows people to come together and talk about ADHD, their experiences, and their challenges, it’s a fantastic opportunity to understand the shared experiences that the ADHD community face. It’s a chance to meet new people and learn new things.
Why was this event created?

ADHD is a type of neurodiversity that affects every aspect of life, and many people don’t realise they have it until they’re much older. Women and people of colour are thought to be underdiagnosed due to misconceptions about what ADHD ‘looks like’ and who it affects.

The month serves as a time to celebrate the difference found in neurodiversity, while also advocating for new perspectives and better support systems.

What is the month about?

ADHD, which stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a neurodivergent condition that affects both children and adults worldwide.

ADHD is a lifelong condition that is often stereotypically associated with hyperactivity, lack of focus and ‘disruptive behaviour’ particularly in school. However, people with ADHD are also creative problem solvers, capable of deep focus on tasks that interest them and bring innovation to their work.

The month is a time to reflect on what ADHD is, how it affects people, and celebrate neurodiversity in general.

September’s Focus

September is National Cholesterol Education Month, making it the perfect time for doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to encourage patients to know their cholesterol levels – and take steps to prevent or reduce high cholesterol. Make sure you spend time this month explaining to your patients how food, family history, and medicine can affect their total cholesterol.

Did you know?

• High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.
• People with high cholesterol are twice as likely to have heart disease than people with lower cholesterol levels.
• 73.5 million American adults (31.7%) have high low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol.
• But fewer than 1 out of every 3 adults with high LDL cholesterol has the condition under control.

Everyone can benefit from knowing their cholesterol numbers and doing what they can to prevent or reduce high cholesterol levels. Uncontrolled cholesterol is a risk factor for heart attacks and stroke. But high cholesterol has no symptoms, so patients might not know that their cholesterol is too high unless it’s measured by a doctor with a blood test.

While some risk factors such as family history may be out of our control, there are other ways to reduce or prevent high cholesterol, such as exercising, eating a healthy diet, not smoking and taking medication as prescribed. Honor National Cholesterol Education Month by encouraging your patients to know and control their cholesterol numbers. Adults age 20 and older should have their cholesterol levels checked every four to six years.

World Heart Day, annual observance and celebration held on September 29 that is intended to increase public awareness of cardiovascular diseases, including their prevention and their global impact.

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death globally. The majority of these deaths were the result of coronary heart disease or stroke. Although cardiovascular diseases are often considered to be afflictions of people living in developed countries, where sedentary lifestyle is common, more than 80 percent of deaths from these diseases occur in low- and middle-income developing countries. The primary causes of cardiovascular diseases poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking are considered modifiable factors. Thus, even in developing countries, which often lack efficient health care programs, the majority of these diseases can be prevented. Cardiovascular diseases also have a major impact on economic systems within countries, because of the high health care costs associated with treatment and lost productivity associated with disability and absenteeism from work.

Forms of ITP
Acute (transient) thrombocytopenic purpura is most commonly seen in young children. Boys and girls are equally affected. Symptoms often, but do not necessarily, follow a viral infection. About 85 percent of children recover within 1 year and the problem doesn’t return.

Thrombocytopenic purpura is considered chronic when it has lasted more than 6-12 months. The onset of illness may be at any age. Adults more often have the chronic disorder and females are affected two to three times more than males. The onset of illness may be at any age.

Primary ITP, also know as Idiopathic, is when ITP develops for no known reason

Secondary ITP is associated with other illnesses such as an infection or autoimmune disease, or occur after transfusion or taking certain drugs, for instance cancer drugs

Definitions
Immune refers to the immune system’s involvement in this disorder. Antibodies, part of the body’s immunologic defense against infection, attach to blood platelets (cells that help stop bleeding), and cause their destruction

Thrombocytopenia refers to decrease in blood platelets

Purpura refers to the purplish-looking areas of the skin and mucous membranes (such as the lining of the mouth), where bleeding has occurred as a result of decreased platelet

While some cases of ITP are caused by drugs, infection, pregnancy, or immune disorders such as Systemic lupus Erythematosus. However, about half of all cases are classified as idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown.

Symptoms
Bleeding, which can include bruising (ecchymosis)

Tiny red dots on the skin or mucous membranes (petechiae)

In some instances bleeding from the nose, mouth and gums, digestive or urinary tracts may also occur

Rarely, bleeding within the brain occurs

We at Laboratory Services and Consultations Limited are so proud of you! .alfredJulien Alfred You are an inspiration to us all, especially our youth, through hard work, dedication and self-belief, we all can be the best in the world.