As a diabetologist, I have seen the profound impact diabetes has on individuals, families and entire communities. Today, my concern extends beyond my patients to all of Whatcom County and our surrounding counties.
The search for a new director of Whatcom County Health and Community Services is a pivotal moment to shape our community’s health for generations. Now is the time to make diabetes prevention, education and awareness a central public health priority.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) was once mostly seen in middle-aged and older adults, but that is no longer true. Across the U.S., T2D is rising among young people, including children as young as 10-12. The CDC reports that over 30 million Americans have T2D, with youth diagnoses growing at an alarming rate.
This is not just a clinical issue; it is a public health emergency. Early-onset diabetes leads to a lifetime of higher risk for heart disease, kidney failure, vision loss, amputations and other complications. For our community, it means a future workforce that is less healthy, more likely to miss work and more dependent on costly medical care.
Diabetes is also an economic issue. Higher rates mean increased health care costs for employers and employees. More people with diabetes in the workforce lead to higher insurance premiums, more absenteeism and lower productivity. For small businesses, these costs can threaten their ability to offer quality health insurance and stay competitive.
It is not only good medicine, but it is also smart economic policy to address diabetes prevention early, before young people develop the disease, to ensure a healthy workforce. Diabetes is one of the most expensive diseases to treat in the U.S., costing nearly $413 billion annually as of 2022, including $306.6 billion in direct medical costs and $106.3 billion in lost productivity.
Schools can play a pivotal role in prevention. By partnering with local school districts, county health leaders can reach children and families with education about healthy eating, physical activity and lifestyle choices that reduce diabetes risk. Evidence-based programs like the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program show that lifestyle changes can cut the risk of developing T2D by more than 50 percent in high-risk individuals. Bringing these strategies into schools can help children, parents and educators build lifelong healthy habits.
This approach aligns with Whatcom County’s Community Health Improvement Plan, which emphasizes healthy, active living and addressing health disparities. Focusing on prevention and education in schools will help us make real progress toward these goals.
Diabetes prevention requires a comprehensive approach: regular screenings, education about managing risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol, and awareness of diabetes complications. The American Public Health Association highlights the need for integrated care and partnerships among schools, health care providers and community organizations to maximize prevention efforts.
By fostering these partnerships, we can improve health outcomes and reduce long-term health care costs for everyone.
As Whatcom County selects its next health director, I urge our leaders to make diabetes prevention and education a top priority. By adopting evidence-based strategies, expanding school partnerships, and integrating care across sectors, we can reverse rising diabetes rates among our youth and protect the health and economic vitality of our community.
Our future depends on the health of our children and our workforce. Let’s invest in prevention, support our employers, and build a healthier, stronger Whatcom County for all.
Dr. Sandhya Gelou is a triple board-certified physician in private practice in Bellingham. She completed her residency at Duke University Medical Center, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained diabetologist, and a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
