More than 1 in 3 Americans is at risk for diabetes, and it doubles for African-Americans.
Risk Factors for Adult Diabetes include:
1. Age 45 or older
2. Race/Ethnicity
3. Diabetes in Family
4. Lack of Physical Activity
5. Being Overweight
6. High Blood Pressure
SYMPTOMS:
Increased Thirst
Increased Need To Urinate
Blurry Vision
Recurring Skin, Gum, or Bladder Infections
Dry, Itchy Skin
Unexpected Weight Loss
Slow-Healing Cuts or Bruises
Tingling Feet or Hands
Loss of Feeling in Extremities
It’s one of the reasons one of the most iconic figures in music is passionate about raising awareness about risk factors for adult diabetes.
Another reason is his father has it, which also places him at risk. His manager’s father also had it. Since 5,000 new people are diagnosed each day, he wants to make sure everyone gets screened.
Rev Run is not only a legend in Hip-Hop, front man for RUN DMC, selling tens of millions of records worldwide, but he is widely credited for ushering rap music into the mainstream culture.
He also starred in MTV’s “Run House,” co-authored several books and is a sought after DJ and speaker.
His latest venture is teaming with The Novo Nordisk Ask Screen Know Campaign to help people know if they are at risk and to share tips on making healthy changes at home.
He created a website called askscreenknow.com to raise awareness and help others take precautions just as he is doing. I asked him how he gets people to get screened.
“I tell people do it for the ones you love…I look in my children’s eyes and realize I can be neglecting my health and hurt everybody in my family.”
-Rev Run
Joining him is wife, Justine Simmons. Justine is an accomplished author, jewelry designer on HSN, co-author of a best-selling book with her husband, philanthropist and loving wife and mom.
Justine also works with the Simmons family charity organization helping children with art resources. She joins Rev Run in urging people to take a Risk Assessment Test.
She discusses how they keep their family healthy since they are at high risk for adult diabetes.
[On Men Being Afraid to Get Tested] “You hear about these men passing (away) and it could have been prevented.” -Justine Simmons
Learn More. Get Screened. http://www.AskScreenKnow.com
INTERVIEW: Hip-Hop Legend Rev Run & his wife Justine on Adult Diabetes
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: http://www.AskScreenKnow.com
As Rev Run and Justine say,
“Do it for the ones you love.”
Maria Dorfner is a health journalist and founder of NewsMD and Healthy Within Network (HWN). Her stories and original health programs have appeared on NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, Fox, CNBC and Discovery. Her book, “Healthy Within” is available at http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/maria_dorfner
Partial list of her awards include an Outstanding Achievement Award from March of Dimes, Media Recognition Award from American Heart Association for a series she created for CNBC called “Heart Smart,” a Medical Reporting Scholarship from American Medical Association, a Freddie Award for Excellence in Medical Reporting, Commitment to the Advancement of Women in Media from Pace University, Angel of a Sponsor Award from Make-A-Wish Foundation. She’s part of the CNBC Originals team that launched the cable network and also co-founded Cleveland Clinic News Service and more. She is listed in Marquis Who’s Who in American Women and the 2019 recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from them. She began her career as an intern at NBC in New York City during her sophomore year of college at Pace University. NBC awarded her a scholarship to attend graduate school at Columbia University at night during her tenure.
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