Healthy Choices Today Can Prevent Diabetes Tomorrow

November is National Diabetes Month, a time to raise awareness and share tools to help Oklahomans prevent Type 2 diabetes. Shape Your Future and the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, both programs of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), bring helpful resources to Oklahomans living with diabetes — and to those who want to prevent it.

“Every day brings a new opportunity to make the healthy choice,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “When Oklahomans have the right tools and support, they can take meaningful steps toward better health. That’s why TSET programs like Shape Your Future and the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline provide free, proven resources that prevent disease and save lives.

Facts about Diabetes in Oklahoma 

• As of 2023, more than 450,000 adults in Oklahoma are living with Type 2 diabetes, placing Oklahoma above the national average. 
• Another one in three adults has prediabetes, putting them at greater risk for developing the disease. 
• People who smoke are 30 to 40% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who do not smoke, according to the CDC. Smoking also makes it harder to control blood sugar and increases the risk of complications such as heart disease, kidney disease and nerve damage.

Shape Your Future offers simple ways to eat better and move more. The website features quick, budget-friendly recipes, portion tips and short workouts for busy families.

The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline provides free, personalized help for those ready to quit tobacco. The Helpline offers professional coaching, text and email support and nicotine replacement therapy such as patches, gum or lozenges to eligible participants. Quitting tobacco can improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of diabetes complications.

Tips to lower your risk for Type 2 diabetes:

• Choose Water: Staying hydrated supports your body, boosts energy and helps manage weight.
• Eat Smart: Serve smaller portions, fill half your plate with fruits or vegetables and limit added sugars.
• Get Moving: Just 30 minutes of movement each day can lower blood pressure, reduce chronic disease risk and boost your mood.
• Quit Tobacco: Quitting tobacco is one of the most powerful steps to improve health. Learn more about how tobacco use affects diabetes and find free support to quit at OKhelpline.com.

TSET remains committed to improving the health of every Oklahoman by funding programs that make healthy living easier. Taking steps like eating better, being active and living tobacco free can help prevent disease and lead to a healthier future.

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Shape Your Future is a community health education intervention that encourages Oklahomans to eat better, move more and be tobacco free. Shape Your Future strives to educate parents, teachers, caregivers and all Oklahomans on how to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Find more information online at ShapeYourFutureOK.com.

The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is a free service for Oklahomans wanting to help themselves, loved ones, patients or employees live tobacco free. Funding is primarily provided by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust , in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Health Care Authority and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline has had more than half a million registrations since 2003 and has been ranked among the top quitlines for reaching tobacco users seeking treatment for the last 10 years by the North American Quitline Consortium.

The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) is building a healthier future for all Oklahomans. As a state grantmaking entity, TSET supports community programs, public health initiatives and research to prevent the leading causes of chronic disease. TSET grants and partnerships help to reduce tobacco use, improve nutrition, advance medicine and increase access to active, healthy living. Created by voters and funded by the Master Settlement Agreement, TSET is creating lasting change in schools, workplaces and communities across the state. Learn more at Oklahoma.gov/TSET.

TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health