Burlington Public Library

Although the prevalence of diabetes in Colorado is still lower than the national average, rates of diagnosis are increasing at a similar rate as the national average. Diabetes contributes significantly to cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness, complications of pregnancy and lower extremity amputations. The good news is that if Coloradans take action now, diabetes and its complications can be prevented or delayed.

In Colorado, it is estimated that there are over 1,600 students who have been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Research has shown that intensive management of diabetes helps decrease the long-term complication of the disease. Students with diabetes require special management of their health care needs at school to allow them to access the same educational opportunities as their peers and to keep them safe at school.