November is American Diabetes Month: Know Your Status

November 1, 2024 / Get Well

An estimated 37.3 million Americans have diabetes. Approximately 90-95% of that number are people living with type 2 diabetes, a disease that can be prevented or delayed with a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, an estimated 96 million American adults have prediabetes. That’s more than 1 in 3 adults, and of these, over 80% don’t even know they have it, according to the CDC. November is American Diabetes Month®, a time to rally against the diabetes epidemic.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is leading the charge through research, education and advocacy. NOVA’s Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing (OEWW) invites all colleagues to dedicate time this month to increasing their awareness and taking steps to prevent or manage diabetes. Our upcoming November Monday Campaigns articles will focus on taking proactive steps to more fully embrace a healthier lifestyle. By taking charge of your health, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetes and improve your overall well-being.

Know Your Status
Today we discuss the importance of consulting your healthcare provider and scheduling an appointment to discuss your risk factors and learn about preventive measures. Reach out today to your healthcare team to learn more about your status, get help understanding your options and get the support you need to navigate your particular health journey. There is a broad range of prevention, treatment and recovery support resources/services available.

Available Employee Resources for Awareness, Prevention and Treatment Benefited Employees
Employees who participate in NOVA’s health care plans should check with their health plan provider for information on available resources to prevent and treat diabetes. Below is a sample of the offerings included in Employee Health and Wellness Benefits at Your Fingertips.

  • Condition Care (Anthem): Get support to help manage Asthma, CAD, COPD, Diabetes, Heart Failure, Hypertension and other chronic conditions. Call 844-507-8472 or see “Programs” on Sydney Health.
  • Diabetes Prevention Program Coaching (Anthem): Members with pre-diabetes receive personalized coaching and a digital scale at no additional cost for help taking steps to prevent type 2 diabetes. Take a quick eligibility survey at lark.com/enrollanthem or on Sydney Health.
  • Condition Coaching (Aetna Health): Get support to manage chronic conditions including asthma, COPD, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and more by calling 855-414-1901
  • Chronic Condition Management (Kaiser Permanente): Get treatments customized for your specific needs, specialized programs and regular monitoring to help you manage diabetes, high blood pressure or chronic pain. Please consult your Kaiser Permanente physician for more information.
  • Health Classes (Kaiser Permanente): Sign up for free wellness programs and classes designed to help you achieve your health goals. Topics include healthy eating, fitness and exercise, weight loss, diabetes, heart health and more. Visit kp.org/classes
  • Disease Management Incentive Program (Sentara Health): Receive a waived medical deductible and pharmacy copayment for certain prescriptions related to hypertension, asthma, COPD and diabetes. Visit sentarahealthplans.com/cova and select “Incentive Programs” or call 866-846-2682
  • Health insurance providers Anthem, Aetna and Kaiser Permanente also offer health coaching to eligible full-time state employees.

Increase your familiarity with your NOVA employee benefits plan. Use their tools, incentives and offerings to help you stay on track. If you have any additional benefits questions, please contact the NOVA benefits team at benefits@nvcc.edu.

All NOVA Employees

  • TimelyCare offers Health Coaching to ALL employees! Develop healthy lifestyle behaviors, including nutrition, sleep habits, time management and mindfulness. Scheduled unlimited virtual visits to develop or improve healthy lifestyle behaviors. More information for TimelyCare for Employees can be found on NOVAnet. If you have any questions, please contact benefits at Benefits – benefits@nvcc.edu.
  • Virginia Health Care Foundation Medical Care – Virginia Health Care Foundation (vhcf.org): There are more than 60 free and charitable clinics in Virginia and more than 200 community health center These sites help Virginia’s low-income and uninsured residents get the care they need to get well and stay well.
  • If you want more city- or county-specific information or have limited or no health insurance, consider also contacting your local health department to inquire about available services and clinics.
  • Visit the Virginia Department of Health’s prediabetes and diabetes resource for information and tools, including a one-minute prediabetes risk test.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also offers valuable information to support your efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes.

Throughout the month, look for more articles focusing on taking proactive steps to more fully embrace a healthier lifestyle. This month, consider using the information, tips and services to take small steps to prevent or manage diabetes.

Banner with blue background and a blue and silver awareness ribbon with a red tear drop. The words are “November is National Diabetes Awareness Month."

Submitted by:
Dahlia Henry-Tett, Chief Wellness Officer (CWO), employeewellbeing@nvcc.edu