Type 2 diabetes affects 1 out of 10 people. Let’s talk about it.
Plus: What to do when you don't like exercising + What's "hypertension" + A video on stress
Welcome to Doing Well. Today:
A Q&A on what you should know about preventing Type 2 diabetes and how to reduce stigma
Health news you should know this week
A course to become the healthiest version of you
Word of the week: "hypertension"
How we can decrease our stress
One thing that has improved this dietitian's health
We Asked: What should we know about preventing Type 2 diabetes
You or someone you know likely has diabetes—that is because in the U.S, about 1 in every 10 people has it. Diabetes is a chronic condition that happens when your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or has trouble using the insulin it does make. Insulin is responsible for lowering blood sugar, and over time, unregulated blood sugar can result in serious health complications. There are different types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes occurs due to the autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the pancreas, leading to an insulin deficiency. This form of diabetes is less common and cannot be prevented. The most common type, Type 2 diabetes, accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all cases and is characterized by insulin resistance. Prediabetes is the stage before Type 2 diabetes, where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but can still be reversed with early changes.
Lifestyle factors, such as healthy eating and physical activity, can reduce your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. With so many individuals impacted, the question remains: How can we prevent Type 2 diabetes and address prediabetes?
I spoke with Gabriel Shaibi, an ASU professor and director of the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, and Elvia Lish, a registered dietitian, diabetes educator, and director of the Ivy Center at St. Vincent de Paul. Together, they partner on the Every Little Step Counts program, aimed at reducing prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes in our communities.
Our discussion has been edited for length and clarity.
Natasha Burrell: What inspired you both to focus on Type 2 diabetes prevention?
Elvia Lish: Honestly, my path to diabetes prevention came from an opportunity early on when I worked with a registered dietitian and diabetes educator. The clients we were serving were from my community, people I could relate to, and we shared similar cultural backgrounds. That connection made me realize how much I could support them in making changes. It also opened my eyes to the fact that, often, they didn’t have someone or a program like ours available. Seeing how much of an impact we could make really inspired me to become a dietitian and continue helping build a healthier community.
Gabriel Shaibi: My journey to diabetes prevention comes from three main areas. First, from a scientific perspective, I’ve always been fascinated by how behaviors—particularly exercise—impact metabolism. Exercise has a powerful effect on improving insulin sensitivity and reducing diabetes risk, and that’s been a curiosity of mine since I was an undergraduate student.
Second, from a public health standpoint, [Type 2] diabetes is an epidemic, a costly one. But we have effective interventions that can prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes. They are just not always accessible. Prevention is far more cost-effective than treatment, so that really motivates me to pursue it. Lastly, on a personal level, diabetes runs in my family, so I’ve seen firsthand how this condition impacts lives. If we can improve health and increase the quality of life for people through research and public health interventions, I’m all for it.
NB: I can relate to you. Type 2 diabetes runs in my family, in fact by several generations. Why is it important to prevent Type 2 diabetes?
EL: I work with clients on both ends—those trying to prevent Type 2 diabetes and those who already have it. While Type 2 diabetes can be managed, and someone can live a healthy life, it does increase the risk for complications and other health problems. This places a burden on the individual and their family, and it also adds to the financial strain with medical bills and treatment. Especially here at St. Vincent de Paul, we focus on reducing this burden. If we can do things in advance to prevent these health issues, why wouldn’t we? Oftentimes, it’s the lack of access to resources and support that limits people from making those changes.
NB: It’s great to know that we can prevent Type 2 diabetes even if it runs in our family. But finding help can be hard, because Type 2 diabetes often carries a stigma and it does not feel good being judged. How can we reduce the stigma?
GS: Addressing the stigma involves reducing shame and guilt within families, especially early on in a diagnosis and early on in life. If we can shift the narrative from "diabetes is in our family" to "diabetes doesn’t have to be in our family" that is important. Prevention is key, starting from early stages like prediabetes in children or even gestational diabetes [diabetes during pregnancy], where improving the health of the mother can reduce their risk for diabetes as well as future generations.
NB: Through the Every Little Step Counts program, you offer classes on prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. How do they help families overcome stigma and misinformation?
EL: I think oftentimes it's that person-centered approach. I had a mom who had been attending with her daughter. It's a family program, and we've always promoted for everyone in the household to come—it's probably the fourth session, and the mom comes up to me and asks, “am I able to bring my husband? He has Type 2 diabetes. And I really think that this will be helpful for him.” This kind of buy-in only comes when people have consistent access to reliable health education.
NB: How can someone start a conversation about diabetes within their family, especially if they face resistance?
EL: Focus on what family members feel would benefit them and how to take small steps together.
NB: How can health leaders and researchers help people to combat health misinformation?
GS: One thing that I think is to produce better information that's more digestible for the general public. Researchers need to be better communicators of science. We also need to be humble about the science we produce. If researchers are not good communicators, we need to partner with people who are experts in communication. We have an obligation to advance science while creating better ways to inform the public about that science. And so that will, I think, alleviate some of the challenges, because misinformation spreads quickly through channels that scientists may not normally use to get the word out. We need enthusiastic, energetic voices to help move the conversation forward. We also need to think about ways to get effective interventions out to people and communities who need them the most. That way, new scientific discoveries will alleviate rather than exacerbate health disparities such as diabetes.
Interested in hosting Every Little Step Counts at your clinic or attending a class? Contact Elvia Lish at Emadrid@svdpaz.org or visit Every Little Step Counts.
Well-Informed: Related stories from the ASU Media Enterprise archives
You’ve probably heard about Ozempic, a drug originally designed to treat Type 2 diabetes, now gaining attention for a powerful side effect: weight loss. Ozempic, along with its counterparts Mounjaro and Wegovy (meant for obesity), mimics a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and curbs hunger signals in the brain. But while these drugs are making headlines, questions remain about the long-term effects, especially for people without diabetes. Read more in this article from Future Tense.
Plus: Insulin prices in Arizona have reached alarming heights, affecting many people with diabetes. Dr. Swapna Reddy from ASU’s College of Health Solutions discussed the issue on Arizona Horizon, highlighting that the cost of insulin has risen dramatically over the past 20 years without justification. With Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi controlling 90 percent of the global insulin market, price increases have often been attributed to research, development, and inflation. But incremental improvements in insulin technology don’t justify the steep price hikes.
Well-Read: News we’ve found useful this week
What to Do If You're Anxious About Flying Right Now, by Angela Haupt, TIME, Feb. 18, 2025
Adults May Want to Consider Revisiting Their Childhood Hobbies, According to a Psychologist, by Julianna Bragg, CNN, Feb. 23, 2025
Men Die Younger Than Women. Is it Time for a Focus on Men's Health?, by Ashley Milne-Tyte, NPR, Feb. 19, 2025
Concussions Look And Feel Different For Women. Here's What Doctors Want You To Know., by Olivia Luppino, Women’s Health, Jan. 28, 2025
Toughing It Out At Work: Do 5 Things For Your Mental Health Instead, by Bryan Robinson, Forbes, Mar 01, 2025
Well-Versed: Learning resources to go deeper
Check out the Health & Wellbeing Certificate brought to you by experts at Mayo Clinic and ASU to become the healthiest version of you. This series of five health and wellness courses explores topics related to the body, mind and spirit.
Well-Defined: Word of the week
Is that different from high blood pressure? Actually, they mean the same thing! "Hypertension" is the medical term for elevated blood pressure, which simply means your blood pressure is higher than normal. Think of it like this: it’s just a fancy way for doctors to say, "Whoa, slow down there!" Blood pressure is usually shown with two numbers—one on top and one on the bottom. If either number is too high, or both are, it’s important to take steps to lower it. Managing your blood pressure is key to staying healthy and avoiding serious health problems.
Current Clips: Watch we’re watching
Stress is everywhere. From work deadlines and juggling daily responsibilities to managing finances and keeping up with the news, stress can originate from many places. It can also affect our bodies in many different ways. In this Learning Enterprise video, learn about the differences between chronic and acute stress and the impact it has on our lives.
Well-Advised: One thing that is improving our health
Elvia Lish, RDN, CDCES gets real with us and reveals one thing that has improved her health.
“I'm not a fan of exercising. I feel good after I exercise, but you know, not a fan overall. And so I stopped worrying about perfection and checking off a box. I just started small. I started practicing what I preach and you know, the more I did that, the more I was consistent, the better I felt and the better I'm doing with my goals.”
Do you have a question or topic you’d like us to tackle? Reach out at any time—we’d love to hear from you.