Introduction (Part II)

Large numbers of White Americans are experiencing a similar health crisis. Appalachia is one of the poorest regions in the country. Diabetes among Appalachians is twice the national average. Many rural and small-town Appalachians, who have moved to urban areas, do not make a living wage creating a situation which health experts call “Food Insecurity.” This can lead to binge eating after payday and food deprivation later in the month, which alters metabolism. Additionally, healthier foods are more costly and less accessible, which further negatively impacts these underserved

Check out the Sonora Desert of Arizona, which is the motherland of certain native people including, the Akimel and the Tohono O’odham. The greater population of the O’odham people continued to reside there, but over time, diabetes began to rise. Diabetes was unheard of when people ate as their ancestors did. When diets changed to convenience foods and exercise gave way to convenient lifestyles, this resulted in a serious blow to their health.
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IHowever, the O’odham native people were moved to combat diabetes from the ground up by revitalizing their nutritional intake pattern on the whole and going to the tradition foods of their ancestors. Health centers
addressed the problem directly and culturally-centered diabetes preventive programs were put in place.

Lesson: Diabetes is also a responsibility of local policy makers, school administration officials, and business leaders because it impacts the entire community and the way of life for adults and students.

The related cost of diabetes is skyrocketing. Financial circumstances of many of the working poor make it difficult to consult health professionals or to join fitness clubs. The reading level of many health education pamphlets tends to be geared to people with high school or beyond reading capabilities.

Gee-Mart understands the challenges that face our underserved everyday. Here are a few of those challenges:

•The lack of, or limited health insurance makes it hard to obtain expensive testing supplies and medication.
•Junk food and fast food most often is cheaper than good fresh foods.
•“Food insecurity” contributes to overeating and weight gain during periods when food is temporarily abundant.
•People have difficulty in refusing offered food and drink that is not good for their health.
•Work and family care situations force individuals to “eat on the run,” which leads to skipping meals or eating unhealthy food.

Gee-Mart believes that preventing the disease, through an innovative in-school and in-home comprehensive program, makes good sense. Getting motivated and all the informational tools helps individuals take responsibility for their own health especially when it is programmed for the various age groups beginning with the young. Putting diabetes prevention programs in schools and homes are important steps since behavioral health is a necessary component in a person’s overall well-being.

For all concerned in promoting diabetes-free health, during this era of our pandemic, Gee-Mart’s comprehensive program is truly for you! This is a very instructional-friendly, innovative, hopeful and long overdue curriculum. The dedicated people of Gee-Mart set their sights on, and actually developed an in-depth educative program for the substantial reduction of diabetes beginning with our youth.

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