Milwaukee County has the highest rates of diabetes in the state, according to Health Compass Milwaukee, which provides health-related data about Milwaukee County residents and communities.
The percentage of adults in Milwaukee County diagnosed with diabetes is 9.7%, which is higher than the state average of 7.8%, according to Health Compass Milwaukee.
Dr. Leonard E. Egede, inaugural Milwaukee community chair in health equity research at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and his team conducted a number of studies on what causes greater rates of diabetes in communities around Milwaukee.
“What is happening is that diabetes is more prevalent in minority populations – African Americans, Hispanic and Native Americans,” Egede said.
He also said diabetes is more widespread among low-income and food-insecure areas, and it’s affecting people at younger ages.
“Milwaukee is a very segregated city … because of that segregation, by race, ethnicity and by income, you actually have pockets where you have a very high prevalence of this disease,” Egede said.
So how can Milwaukee take on a disease like diabetes?
“Getting the correct food and at an affordable price is really the challenge,” said Sherrie Tussler, CEO of the Hunger Task Force. “We need to improve access to healthy food.”
Resources you should know about
If you’re at risk for diabetes, the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee offers a Diabetes Prevention Program where individuals can get help from lifestyle coaches and nutritionists. For more information, check out the YMCA’s program.
The Muslim Community and Health Center of Wisconsin also has a Diabetes Prevention Program, which you can check out here. The Health Center screens for diabetes and offers diabetes support.
City on a Hill offers medical support from diabetes screenings to diet and nutrition support. Learn more here.
The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center screens for and helps in the treatment of diabetes. The center also has a Diabetes Prevention Program. Learn more here.
Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers offers diabetes screenings and treatment. Learn more here.
Check out Progressive Community Health Centers’ Diabetes Center of Excellence for individualized diabetes treatment.
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin offers diabetes monitoring and treatment.
Check out the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ information on taking control of and even reversing your pre-diabetic condition.
Diet and exercise are two of the most important factors when it comes to prevention and treatment of diabetes.
The Hunger Task Force partnered with Piggly Wiggly to launch the Mobile Market in 2015. The market stocks fresh produce, dairy and meat, and travels around Milwaukee, Monday through Friday. Check out the Mobile Market’s schedule of stops.
Check out the United States Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate graphic to get a simple and helpful picture of what your meals should look like.
For ideas and recipes for healthy food, check out the cookbook “Tasty Recipes for People with Diabetes and Their Families.”
