By Wainwright Jeffers - bio | email
ALBANY, GA (WALB) – Diabetes is on the rise throughout the country, and southwest Georgia has one of the highest rates of adult onset diabetes.
Georgia's rate is the second-highest, behind only Mississippi.
In our area, Calhoun and Dougherty counties have the highest percentages with almost 14 percent of the population affected by the disease.
An estimated 10.3 percent of the adults in Lee County have diabetes, according to the CDC.
Experts say there are things you can do to protect yourself.
"You cannot control your race, you cannot control a genetic predisposition but what you can control is your behavior, you can exercise and eat a better diet," said Dr. Jacqueline Grant, District Health Director.
Doctor Grant says women whose father's family has a history of diabetes are especially at risk and should be tested.
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