Urban Solutions Doctor's Corner

Noble S. Jones MD

Approximately 2.8
million or 13% of all
African Americans have
diabetes. However,
one-third of them do
not know it. With its
complications -- heart
attack and stroke,
blindness, kidney
disease, and
amputations -- diabetes
is the fifth deadliest
disease in the United
States, and it has no
cure.

Diabetes is a disease
in which the body
does not produce or
properly use insulin.
Insulin is a hormone
that is needed to
convert sugar, starches
and other food into
energy needed for daily
life. The cause of
diabetes continues to
be a mystery, although
both genetics and
environmental factors
such as obesity and lack
of exercise appear to
play roles.

Source: American
Diabetes Assoication



		Urban Solutions, Inc. and DiabetesWATCH, a service provided by Aventis Pharmaceuticals, have teamed together to provide you with answers to your questions about diabetes. Each month, Dr. Noble S. Jones will address questions submitted by our readers. To ask Dr. Jones a diabetes related question, please send an e-mail to ysjus4u@aol.com.

		This Month's Question: Ms. Michelle L. of South Philadelphia wants to know: What are the ABCs of Diabetes? A. A1C - Target goal is 6.5 - 7% ( information on A1C is on last month's page) B. Blood Pressure ---- Goal less than 130/80 C. LDL Cholesterol---- Goal less than 100 In addition to blood sugar control, blood pressure and cholesterol the ABC?s of diabetes are key factors to living a long and healthy life. Remember to talk to your doctor about your individualized treatment plan. For more information on diabetes please visit DiabetesWATCH.com Visit the Urban Solutions Archives for previous DiabetesWATCH questions.