Type-2 diabetes continues to ravage low-income, inner city communities. Many factors contribute to the escalating health challenge, including diet, obesity and the lack of safe places for exercise. Now comes a study indicating that diabetes and depression may be feeding each other.
As I read the report below from the "Health Day" section of Bloomberg News, I recalled a conversation I had with an elderly woman from South Dallas years ago.
"Brother Larry," she said, "around here we carry our grief in buckets." Her way of describing the many sources and forces behind her own depression. The work we do creating hope and friendship as a vital part of our daily response to diabetes is right on target.
Diabetes, Depression Can Be Two-Way Street
By Ellin Holohan
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Nov. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Diabetes and depression are conditions that can fuel each other, a new study shows.
The research, conducted at Harvard University, found that study subjects who were depressed had a much higher risk of developing diabetes, and those with diabetes had a significantly higher risk of depression, compared to healthy study participants.
"This study indicates that these two conditions can influence each other and thus become a vicious cycle," said study co-author Dr. Frank Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. "Thus, primary prevention of diabetes is important for prevention of depression, and vice versa."
To read the entire report click here.
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