COVID-19 and Diabetes

Diabetes - Stay in Control

If you have diabetes, stay in control. People with diabetes are more likely to experience severe symptoms and complications when infected with COVID-19. When people with diabetes experience fluctuating blood sugars, they are generally at risk for a number of diabetes-related complications.

Diabetes – Stay in Control Tips:

• Stock-up on insulin and medical supplies. Make sure you have enough for an extended time.

• Keep space between yourself and others.

• Wash your hands often.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces.

• Stay at home as much as possible.

• Make sure you can reach your doctor quickly. Put your doctor's and health care provider's contact information in an easy-to-locate place. Call ahead before physically presenting to a clinic or hospital.

• Create a list of support contacts who you might call on if needed, such as friends, relatives, colleagues, and neighbors.

• Take stock of food, beverage, and hygiene supplies for yourself, your family, and your pets.

• Eat healthy foods. Stock up on healthy, affordable staples. Choose options with the least amount of added salt and sugar.

• Continue with outdoor activities. As long as you practice social distancing, continue your outdoor activities such as walks, runs, and yardwork, to the extent your health allows it.

• Ask family members to conduct themselves as though they are a great risk to your health.  

Diabetes Prevention

Diabetes is a serious health condition and a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to significant disability, including blindness, amputations, and kidney failure. Over 2.3 million California adults report having been diagnosed with diabetes, representing one out of every 12 adult Californians. The vast majority of diabetes cases in California are type 2, representing 1.9 million adults. The prevalence increases with age—one out of every six adult Californians aged 65 and above have type 2 diabetes—and is higher among ethnic/racial minorities and Californians with low education attainment and/or family income. Compared with non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics and African Americans have twice the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and are twice as likely to die from their disease.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has a number of ongoing activities that support the primary prevention of diabetes through the promotion of healthy eating, increased physical activity, tobacco cessation, and the prevention and control of overweight and obesity. Secondary prevention activities focus on evidence-based strategies to prevent or delay the onset of complications among Californians diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. CDPH is establishing a statewide network of evidence-based lifestyle change programs that are designed to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes among people at highest risk and prevent or delay the onset of complications among people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.