November 13, 2025
Media Contact: Erin Perkins, erin.perkins@vdh.virginia.gov
Diabetes Often Goes Undetected: Are You at Risk?
Rappahannock Area Health District Has Tips for National Diabetes Awareness Month
FREDERICKSBURG, Va.– Did you know that one out of eleven people in Virginia has diabetes? Or that one out of every four Virginians with diabetes does not know it? More than two million adults in Virginia have prediabetes, increasing the risk for major health problems and early death. But it’s not too late. Lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the disease and improve your overall health. Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) can help you get on the right track.
Why should you care? Untreated diabetes can do real damage to your body, including:
- Long term organ damage, including kidney damage
- Heart disease and stroke
- Nerve damage
- Vision loss/blindness
- Dementia
- Mental health issues
Diabetes also costs a lot of money! People with diabetes pay twice as much for medical expenses than those who don’t have the disease. Direct medical expenses for those diagnosed with diabetes in Virginia totaled more than $412 billion in 2022.
Your risk for developing type 2 diabetes is higher if you:
- Are overweight.
- Have a family history of diabetes.
- Had diabetes while you were pregnant (gestational diabetes).
- Live in a rural area. In Virginia, rural areas in general report higher rates of diabetes.
According to the RAHD 2025 Community Health Assessment, Caroline County had the highest rate of diabetes hospitalizations of all five jurisdictions. This is one and a half times the overall rate for Virginia. The VDH, and the Virginia Center for Diabetes Prevention and Education, are working to improve healthcare access and reduce disparities through the Virginia Rural Health Plan 2022–2026 .
“In the Rappahannock Area Health District, diabetes affects thousands of our neighbors, friends, and families,” said Dr. Interim RAHD Health Director David Rose, MD. “This National Diabetes Awareness Month, we hope to not only raise awareness, but also to empower people to take control of their health. By getting good information and taking small steps, we all can make big changes in our own wellbeing and build healthier futures for all of us.”
The RAHD suggests taking these steps to get you on the right track:
- Take the Risk Test.
- Eat healthy.
- Stay active.
- Talk with your doctor or healthcare professional about your concerns.
- Find a Diabetes Prevention Program or Diabetes Self-Management class near you.
For more information on local programs and resources, contact RAHD directly at 540-899-4797 or visit the VDH Diabetes Resource Page.
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