Skip to main content

Living with any chronic medical condition is challenging. But an international study by Penn State College of Medicine concluded that social support can help people with diabetes better cope with the psychosocial challenges of the disease and improve their overall health.

Researchers interviewed more than 8,500 people with diabetes living in 17 countries, including the United States and Canada, and discovered that almost half of them had feelings of anxiety, fear, worry, depression and hopelessness. And a large number had experienced discrimination at work and felt like the public misunderstood their condition.

However, those who reported success in managing their disease attributed it to their positive outlook and the support from those around them—from family and friends to coworkers and healthcare providers.

If you have diabetes and feel like a support group would benefit you, consider the new 6-week Diabetes Connect series now offered at UCF Pegasus Health. Meetings will be held on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. beginning September 30. Topics like diet, exercise, motivation, stress management and relapse prevention will be covered. Sessions will be held at the clinic, located at 3400 Quadrangle Blvd., Orlando, FL 32817—on the corner of University Blvd. just blocks from the main UCF campus.

For more information and to register for Diabetes Connect, visit https://ucfhealth.com/. There is no cost to attend.

Post Tags