Diabetes poses big problems for Harlem. For example, people in East Harlem who have diabetes are twice as likely to die of the disease as people who live in other parts of the city!

That's why getting information about diabetes is so important for people who live in Harlem - learning all you can about diabetes can save your life.

Some basic facts and definitions...

Our bodies turn our food into the energy we need to go about our daily lives. Most of what we eat is turned into sugar. Insulin is a hormone that allows the sugar from food to be used by the body's cells to create energy.

People with diabetes have high levels of sugar (or glucose) in their blood because their bodies have problems either making or using insulin. Without insulin, sugar just stays in the blood and can hurt the rest of your organs.

These problems can be caused by a few different things, which is why diabetes is divided into several different types. The most common types of diabetes are: type 1 and type 2. How Diabetes Affects Your Health

What health problems can be caused by diabetes?

Diabetes can cause serious health problems. Some of these are:

• High blood pressure
• Nerve damage
• Heart disease
• Gum disease
• Stroke
• Circulation problems
• Kidney disease or failure
• Amputation of legs and feet
• Blindness
• Coma or death

Did you Know? Is a series of health articles written by HHPC and reviewed by our Health Advisory Board.