Dear Mr. President,

I’m sure that in your lifetime, you’ve heard of the term “diabetes.” Diabetes is a disease that prevents the body from producing any or enough insulin to stop elevated levels of glucose in the blood. I’ll have you know that diabetes can lead to negative outcomes throughout a person’s entire life and more people need to be aware of this.

I live in San Diego, California and I grew up with a diabetic grandpa, auntie, and recently a diabetic cousin who’s only a few years older than me. It’s hard seeing them take a shot all the time to control their blood glucose levels. They have to do it everyday, 3-4 times a day in order to prevent damage of the eye(s), kidney(s), nerve(s), etc.

According to Health Info Net, there are actually three main types of diabetes, they are: Type 1, Type 2, Gestational. Type 1 is the most common among children and young adults. It requires regular injections of insulin. Type 2 is much more common and it affects people over age forty. Some people have this sickness for years without realizing it. Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that pregnant women sometimes get. This type usually goes away after the baby is born.

Type 1 diabetes could be caused by low birth weight, viruses, some toxic chemicals, or not getting good food. More than 80% of people with Type 1 diabetes have no family history of the disease. Type 2 diabetes is mostly caused by eating too much junk food and not exercising enough. Gestational diabetes is caused by pregnancy. Some examples of the effects of diabetes are: sores that don’t heal, constantly needing to use the restroom, always being thirsty, feeling tired and weak, blurry vision, weight loss, increased hunger, leg cramps, and itching.

Also according to Health Info Net, what can be done to treat Type 1 diabetes is take injections of insulin 3-4 times a day. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by healthy diet and lifestyle. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after the baby is born.

Please consider spreading this information by news, classes, internet, and/or public announcements to people around the world, at least the United States. Most diabetes can be prevented with the right amount of exercise and a healthy diet. I’m positive that citizens will thank you for that.