The delta region of Mississippi has the dubious distinction of having the highest per capita rate of diabetes.

Dr. Marshall Bouldin, associate professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, recently announced the
Delta Diabetes Project. The program aims for a collaborative approach, bringing
together doctors, educators, parents, and children to join in the fight against diabetes.

The project comes not a moment too soon.

"In 1990, no state had more than 4 percent of its population with diabetes," Bouldin said. "Today, one in 10 Mississippians has diabetes."

"A third of our school children in Mississippi are obese...We're talking about being 30-40 percent overweight. Seventy-one percent of African-Americans have diabetes. Thirty-six percent of diabetics are without any kind of insurance and about half of them are under 65."

With statistical projections based on the current trend, Bouldin said the number of diabetics on kidney dialysis in 2000 "will double by 2010."

As we've discussed on this site before, diabetes takes more than a village to fight. Has your community implemented any programs such as the Delta Diabetes Project? Do you wish you had more resources available in your hometown?

(Photo: Dr. Marshall Bouldin. Source: UMC)