Diabetes is a fast growing epidemic and is ravaging Chicago’s Westside. According to data gathered by the Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI), North Lawndale has a diabetes rate that is 40% higher than the rate for Chicago. This rate appears to be increasing each year. About 1.5 out of 10 persons over the age of 18 in North Lawndale has diabetes. Nearly 95% of diagnosed diabetes cases are type 2, which is preventable. In poor communities like North Lawndale access to quality foods and a safe environment in which to exercise lead to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. These are the most common causes of this form of diabetes.

“Eating the right thing and being able to make good lifestyle choices have been my biggest challenges with diabetes,” says Margaret Shepard. Mrs. Shepard, a Westside resident for 35 years, was first diagnosed with diabetes 26 years ago during a pregnancy. She tried to control her diabetes without medication when she was diagnosed, but eventually was placed on insulin and pills to help her control her glucose or “blood sugar.” “Having high blood pressure and high cholesterol doesn’t help,” says Mrs. Shepard, “Then you have to go outside the community to find quality food at a good price.” North Lawndale is considered a “food desert” community.

This means that there is a big imbalance or “food security” gap between grocery stores that provide quality food and the number of fast food outlets that provide foods high in fat, calories and sugar. Denise Camp a North Lawndale resident of nearly 29 years was diagnosed with diabetes during a routine doctor’s visit 7 years ago. “I met my husband at a McDonalds,” she says, “and ever since then it’s been grease city.” Both Mrs. Camp and her husband have diabetes and they are trying to lose weight and become more motivated to exercise and eat right. “It’s tough sometimes. You want to get the right things but you get into bad habits. I feel I could go walking around my neighborhood for exercise, but I have to work up the motivation. And the hardest challenge for us is making good food choices,” says Mrs. Camp.

“Block by Block North Lawndale Diabetes Community Action” program is an important Sinai Health System initiative to combat diabetes in the community one block at a time. Block by Block builds on community strengths. The program employs community health educators to visit homes, coordinate cooking and exercise activities and support residents in making the fight against diabetes a neighborhood priority. Block by Block encourages everyone to know his or her diabetes status. If you have diabetes take care of yourself. You can do this by eating more fruits and vegetables, checking your blood sugar regularly, seeing a doctor often and exercising frequently. Also, talk to your friends and neighbors about diabetes and work to make your community safer, improve access to quality foods and closer knit. Together we can win the fight against diabetes.