LaborPress | Kerri O’Brien | November 1, 2025
Every November, we pause to recognize National Diabetes Month—a time to raise awareness, share stories, and inspire action toward better health for ourselves, our families, and our union brothers and sisters.
Diabetes doesn’t discriminate. It affects people of every background, age, and profession—including millions of working men and women who keep our country running. Whether you work on the road, in a classroom, behind the wheel, or on a construction site, the realities of long shifts, irregular schedules, and high job stress can make it easy to overlook personal health. But here’s the truth: early detection and steady management can prevent most complications and save lives.
Understanding Diabetes: What It Is and Why It Matters
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Normally, your body breaks down the food you eat into sugar (glucose) and releases it into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, your pancreas releases insulin to help your body use that sugar for energy.
When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it effectively. Over time, high blood sugar can cause serious damage to your heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes, often diagnosed in childhood or adolescence, is an autoimmune condition where the body stops producing insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes is the most common form—accounting for about 90–95% of all cases—and typically develops over time due to genetics, weight, lifestyle factors, and age.
- Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy but can increase a woman’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Before diabetes fully develops, many people experience prediabetes—a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes, but more than 80% don’t know it.
That’s why awareness matters. Knowing your risk and getting checked regularly can prevent diabetes altogether.
Know the Risk Factors
You can’t always control whether you develop diabetes, but knowing your risk gives you power to act early. You’re at higher risk if you:
- Are over age 45
- Have a family history of Type 2 diabetes
- Are overweight or obese
- Lead a sedentary lifestyle (not physically active most days)
- Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Experienced gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Are a member of certain racial or ethnic groups, including African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
- Work night shifts or irregular schedules, which can disrupt metabolism and sleep patterns
If you check any of these boxes, don’t wait. Ask your doctor or union health center for a simple blood test—like fasting glucose or A1C—to see where you stand.
Recognize the Signs and Symptoms
Sometimes, diabetes develops quietly. But your body often gives warning signs. Common symptoms include:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Unexplained fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing cuts or frequent infections
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Unexplained weight loss (especially in Type 1)
- Increased hunger
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms—or if it’s been more than a year since your last checkup—this is your reminder: schedule a screening today. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it can change the course of your health.
The Good News: Diabetes Is Manageable—And Even Preventable
Here’s the hope: diabetes isn’t a dead end. It’s a call to action.
For many people with prediabetes, lifestyle changes alone can delay or completely prevent Type 2 diabetes. The CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program found that losing just 5–7% of body weight (that’s 10–15 pounds for a 200-pound person) and increasing physical activity by 150 minutes per week (about 30 minutes a day, five days a week) can reduce the risk by nearly 60%.
For those living with diabetes, new tools and technologies have made management more effective—and less stressful—than ever before.
Innovations Making Life Easier for People with Diabetes
Modern care is transforming the way people monitor and manage diabetes. Here are a few examples of how technology is helping:
- Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): Small wearable sensors (like the Dexcom G7 or FreeStyle Libre) track glucose levels 24/7 and send data to your smartphone—no more frequent finger sticks.
- Smart Insulin Pens and Pumps: Devices like the InPen or Omnipod deliver precise doses of insulin and can sync with apps for easier tracking.
- Mobile Health Apps: Apps such as MySugr, Glooko, and One Drop integrate glucose readings, diet logs, and medication reminders in one dashboard.
- Telehealth and Virtual Coaching: Many union health plans now cover virtual diabetes educators and nutrition coaches, making support available anytime, anywhere.
- Connected Care Devices: Blood pressure cuffs, scales, and fitness trackers can sync with your provider’s system to monitor your progress in real time.
These tools give patients greater control, improve outcomes, and reduce complications. Most importantly, they remind us that you’re not alone—help is closer than ever.
Coping with the Diagnosis: You’re Part of a Community
Hearing the words “you have diabetes” can feel overwhelming. But you’re joining millions of others who have learned to live full, active, healthy lives with this condition.
The first step is education—understanding how food, movement, sleep, stress, and medications all work together. Union health and welfare funds often offer access to Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs), nutritionists, or peer-support programs to help you develop a personal plan that works for your schedule and lifestyle.
Second, don’t go it alone. Talk with your family, coworkers, or local union wellness committee. Many union workplaces now offer wellness challenges, health screenings, and support groups to keep members motivated and connected.
Finally, stay positive. Every small change counts—packing a healthier lunch, walking after dinner, or scheduling a yearly eye exam. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.
A Union Approach to Health: Solidarity in Action
In the labor community, we understand the power of unity. The same principles that win fair wages and safer workplaces—education, collective action, and accountability—also drive better health outcomes.
Imagine if every union hall encouraged members to get a free glucose screening this month. Imagine if every job site hosted a “Know Your Numbers” health day or shared information about healthy snacks and hydration. Small steps like these can lead to lasting change.
Unions have long been champions of worker health and wellness, negotiating for preventive screenings, nutrition programs, and diabetes management benefits. National Diabetes Month is the perfect time to use those benefits—and to remind our brothers and sisters to do the same.
Your Next Step: Get Checked
If you haven’t had your blood sugar checked recently, do it this month. Most screenings can be done in minutes—often covered at no cost through your union health plan or local health fair.
If your results show prediabetes or diabetes, don’t panic. With the right care, support, and tools, you can manage it and live a long, healthy life.
Remember: early action changes everything. Many people reverse prediabetes or keep their blood sugar under control for decades with the right approach.
So take that first step. Call your doctor. Visit your union wellness center. Schedule that screening. Do it for yourself—and for the people who count on you every day.
Together Toward a Healthier Future
This November, as we spotlight National Diabetes Month, let’s make it more than awareness—let’s make it a movement.
At LaborPress, we’ll be sharing articles, interviews, and resources all month long—stories of members who turned their health around, expert advice from medical professionals, and updates on the latest tools and technologies helping workers live stronger, healthier lives.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and join the conversation. Because when we take care of ourselves, we strengthen not only our families—but the entire labor movement.
Together, we can power a future where every worker thrives—in health, at home, and on the job.
