According to the Kentucky Department of Public Health, diabetes prevalence has doubled from 2000 to 2018 from 6.5% of adults to 13.7% of Kentucky adults. This rate is also higher than the national average (10.5%), with Kentucky exhibiting the 4th highest mortality rate from diabetes in the U.S. Certain parts of Kentucky experience higher adult rates of diabetes. For example, Appalachian Kentucky counties exhibit a diagnosed diabetes rate of 17% compared to 12% in non-Appalachian Kentucky counties. Further, 1 in 3 Kentucky adults have diagnosed or undiagnosed prediabetes, which increases the risk of developing diabetes within 3-5 years. This public health issue is costly for Kentuckians. In 2019, it was estimated that diagnosed diabetes alone cost Kentucky $5.2 billion in total medical costs and lost work and wages. In 2023, the Kentucky Department of Public Health (DPH) reported that 13.7% of adults in Kentucky, or 474,500 people, had diagnosed diabetes. Additionally, 1 in 3 Kentucky adults, or 33.8%, have prediabetes. Approximately 450,340 people in Kentucky, or12.9% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes. An additional 101,000 people in Kentucky have diabetes but don't know it, greatly increasing their health risk. The cost of diabetes care for families in Kentucky is substantial, impacting both public health and individuals' financial well-being. 

 The Edmonson County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent partnered with the Edmonson County Senior Pantry Director to present the "Spring into Health" health fair.

The program objectives are:

•    Increase knowledge about healthy foods.

•    Provide basic information regarding diabetes, nutrition, and physical activity.

•    Present healthy versions of familiar foods and taste testing of recipes

The goal of our part of the program is to equip participants with information about building healthy and nutritious meals through diabetes-friendly recipes. 

 Local entities and healthcare networks consistently look to Extension for trusted and reliable diabetes education materials and recipes, especially in counties and communities with limited resources.

The FCS Area Agent along with the program assistant provided cooking demonstrations with 2 diabetes-friendly recipe from the "Dining with Diabetes" NEP program to over 140 people, ranging from women and men of all ages and backgrounds. Participants also could pick up diabetic publications from UK, a cookbook (that we made) with lots of diabetic friendly recipes and "spin the prize wheel" to answer a question about diabetes prevention/care/symptoms and take home a prize!

Participants reported having a better understanding of what to eat, portion control, confidence in the kitchen, tailored recipes, and disease management and prevention.  Everyone who tried the food demonstrations were surprised in how good the food tasted, especially to be healthy and diabetic friendly.