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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Improving the understanding, detection, and management of kidney disease.

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Learn about the Connection Between Diabetes and Kidney Disease During National Diabetes Month

Did you know that 44 percent of people starting dialysis have kidney failure caused by diabetes? November is National Diabetes Month and a good time to make the connection between preventing and managing diabetes to keep your kidneys healthier, longer.

Diabetes and Your Kidneys

Diabetes can damage your kidneys and lead to kidney disease. This damage can happen over many years, without you feeling it. That is why it is essential for people with diabetes to manage their diabetes and get their kidneys tested. If you or a loved one has diabetes (or high blood pressure), learn more about getting checked for kidney disease pdf icon (2.6M).

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Screenshot of Yvette's testimonial video.

Meet Yvette Surls, a woman living with type 2 diabetes who is taking steps to manage her health.

Take Steps to Manage Your Diabetes

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When it comes to managing your diabetes, making positive lifestyle changes that include losing weight and being more active is a goal for many people. The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) offers the following tips for making a plan and taking small, but important steps to help you reach your health goal:

  1. Think about what is important to you and your health.
  2. What changes are you willing and able to make?
  3. Choose one goal to work on first. Start this week. Pick one change you can start to make immediately.
  4. Don't give up. It's common to run into some problems along the way. If things don't go as planned, think about other ways to reach your goal.

Whether you are looking to eat healthier, be more active, manage your weight, cope better with stress and emotions, or stop smoking, you can get started with your plan and make a change to live well at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org/healthsense.

November is also Family Health History Month. Take few minutes to create your family health portrait by visiting the online tool here: https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/fhh-web/familyHistory/start.action.

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Page last updated: November 7, 2012