Murray-Calloway County Community on Diabetes
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Public and Community Health
Minor
N/A
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Miranda Terry
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
As diabetes is becoming increasingly more prevalent in today’s society, there are many factors to be considered. Although it is known that diabetes can be caused by genetics and family history, risk factors such as poor eating and sedentary lifestyles seem to have a larger impact on whether someone obtains the chronic disease. This lead to the question “what effect does the environment or community have on the prevalence of diabetes?” As diabetes seems highly related to where or how someone lives, Murray-Calloway County posed a great location to explore the effect that community organizations have on diabetes in its population. When conducting research, community organizations that were barriers to healthy life styles were much more common and easier to find as fast food locations make up a majority of businesses on major roads in any city. The tricky part was finding current organizations that aid in the fight against this chronic disease. Results showed that there are many organizations or locations that were helpful for creating healthier lifestyles and that if utilized could lower the prevalence of diabetes in Murray- Calloway County. And, although there may be more barriers than assets in Murray's community. The assets of the county, even though small in number, have the capacity to bring change if made more aware or accessible to the public.
Affiliations
EXS/HEA 356
Murray-Calloway County Community on Diabetes
As diabetes is becoming increasingly more prevalent in today’s society, there are many factors to be considered. Although it is known that diabetes can be caused by genetics and family history, risk factors such as poor eating and sedentary lifestyles seem to have a larger impact on whether someone obtains the chronic disease. This lead to the question “what effect does the environment or community have on the prevalence of diabetes?” As diabetes seems highly related to where or how someone lives, Murray-Calloway County posed a great location to explore the effect that community organizations have on diabetes in its population. When conducting research, community organizations that were barriers to healthy life styles were much more common and easier to find as fast food locations make up a majority of businesses on major roads in any city. The tricky part was finding current organizations that aid in the fight against this chronic disease. Results showed that there are many organizations or locations that were helpful for creating healthier lifestyles and that if utilized could lower the prevalence of diabetes in Murray- Calloway County. And, although there may be more barriers than assets in Murray's community. The assets of the county, even though small in number, have the capacity to bring change if made more aware or accessible to the public.