November is Diabetes Awareness Month—a time to focus on one of the most common and preventable chronic conditions affecting Vaya Health members and North Carolina communities. At Vaya, we recognize diabetes as a priority public health concern, not only because of how many people it impacts, but also because of how closely it connects to behavioral health and overall wellness.
Why Diabetes Prevention Matters
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that occurs when the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels. The most common form, Type 2 diabetes, develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin—the hormone that helps stabilize blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, nerve pain, and vision loss. People living with serious mental illness are two to three time more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.
Risk factors include:
- Age (risk increases as you get older)
- Being overweight or obese
- Family history of diabetes
- Personal history of polycystic ovary syndrome
- High blood pressure
- Personal history of gestational diabetes
- Currently taking an antipsychotic medication
Though Type 2 diabetes is common, it’s both preventable and treatable. Diabetes and prediabetes often begin with no noticeable symptoms—one reason an estimated 8.7 million Americans are living with undiagnosed diabetes.
That’s why Vaya and our clinical leadership team emphasize screening and prevention as key priorities. Regular screenings, especially for those at higher risk, can help detect diabetes early and prevent long-term complications.
If you learn that you’re at high risk for developing diabetes, you may qualify for the North Carolina Diabetes Prevention Program. Please visit DiabetesFreeNC.com to locate a diabetes prevention program.
Vaya encourages members and all North Carolinians to take the American Diabetes Association’s 60-second Type 2 diabetes risk test for themselves or a loved one today.
Lowering Your Risk
Healthy eating plays a major role in diabetes prevention and management, but Vaya understands that access and affordability can make healthy choices difficult. That’s why our care managers help members find realistic ways to eat well—such as using SNAP benefits to stretch food budgets and connecting members to community food programs when needed.
The Healthy Plate Method is an easy, flexible way to plan balanced meals without added expense.
- Fill half your plate with fruits and non-starchy vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned in water).
- Fill one-quarter with lean proteins like chicken, fish, or eggs.
- Fill one-quarter with whole grains such as brown rice or whole-grain bread.
- Choose water, tea, or coffee without added sugars whenever possible.
Regular physical activity also helps reduce diabetes risk. Aim for 150 minutes per week—about 30 minutes a day, five days a week—of moderate-intensity exercise like walking in your neighborhood or doing a favorite activity that gets you moving.
Whole-Person Support at Vaya
At Vaya, we know that managing or preventing diabetes requires ongoing support. Our care managers help members:
- Connect with primary care providers for screenings and follow-up care
- Find affordable ways to eat well
- Access behavioral health services to manage stress, depression, or medication side effects
By focusing on whole-person care, Vaya is committed to helping make lasting wellness achievable for everyone we serve.
To learn more about diabetes prevention programs near you, visit diabetesfreenc.com/find-a-program.
