RELEASE: Awareness + action = diabetes prevention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 10, 2025

Awareness + action = diabetes prevention

SANTA FE – November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, highlighting a condition that affects 254,000 New Mexico residents.

More New Mexicans are at risk: nearly 1 in 5 adults in the state are pre-diabetic. Pre-diabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes – accounting for 90-95 percent of diagnosed cases. Fortunately, type 2 diabetes is largely preventable.

“Type 2 diabetes can happen at any age – and the best way to avoid it is understanding your risk and taking the steps to reduce your chances of becoming diabetic,” said Lindsey Goodhue , Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health Section director for the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH).

Risk factors for diabetes include:

Family health history of diabetes.

Being 45 and over.

Being overweight.

Being physically active less than three days a week.

Anyone with risk factors should talk to a medical provider and get screened to prevent, delay or manage their diabetes.

You can also decrease your chances of being pre-diabetic or diabetic by:

A healthy, well-balanced diet.

Exercising regularly.

Drinking water as your primary beverage.

Quitting smoking.

Losing excess weight.

NMDOH offers free programs to help New Mexicans prevent or control type 2 diabetes. Visit PathstoHealthNM.org for class and enrollment information. On the website, you’ll also find a link to a 60-second test from the American Diabetes Association to determine your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For more information, you can also call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).

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