(NAPSA)—Diabetes kills more Americans each year than AIDS and breast cancer combined—andcan cause serious problemsthroughout the body. According to the NationalEyeInstitute, eye health, for example, can become critically compromised. Around 30.3 million Americans, or 9.4 percent of the population, are living with diabetes, with about1.5 million more being diagnosed every year. The longer someonehas diabetes, the greater his or her chancesare of developing dia- People ith diabetes would bewi to see their wayclear to getting regular eye exams. betic retinopathy, or damageto the blood vessels in the retina. According to the National EyeInstitute, between 40 and 45 in need. “We educate our members so they understandthatliving a healthylife- oftype 2 diabetes. According to America’s least once per year—or moreif recom- social determinants ofhealth has become toppriority for Medicaid programs. AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan andoneofthenation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. style, controlling their blood sugar and percentofpeople diagnosedwith diabetes having regular eye exams can help save havesomedegree ofdiabetic retinopathy. their vision” While being overweight andleading a Simple steps can help mitigate the sedentary lifestyle are certainly linked to effects of diabetes and may potentially diabetes, social and environmentalfac- delay complications from diabetic eye tors such as poverty, stress, and lack of disease,includingcontrolling your blood safe housing andaccess to a healthy diet sugar and blood pressure, monitoring can also compromise your health and your cholesterol, seeing your doctorregultimately contribute to the development ularly, and having dilated eye exam at Health Insurance Plans, addressing these “We encourage our members with diabetes to have regular eye exams to rule out complications? said Dr. Andrea Gelzer, senior vice president of medical affairs at AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and otherhealth care solutions for those most mendedby your eye care professional. Learn More For further information, visit www. amerihealthcaritas.com.
