Understanding Diabetes: A Guide for Families from the VDOE and VDH

New Kent County Public Schools wants to ensure that families have the information they need to understand diabetes mellitus type 1 and type 2 by sharing resources compiled by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

Families are strongly encouraged to maintain regular well-child checkups with their child's healthcare provider and consult with them about any health concerns. We also suggest that parents and guardians visit the VDH Prediabetes and Diabetes webpage for more information. Additionally, the VDOE and VDH provided the infographic available below.

Prediabetes and Diabetes at a Glance

Prediabetes occurs when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. More than one in three adults in Virginia has prediabetes, raising the risk of type 2 diabetes and other serious health issues—but it can often be reversed. Diabetes itself is a chronic condition in which blood sugar remains above normal because the body cannot produce insulin (type 1) or cannot use it properly (type 2). Roughly 11.8% of Virginia adults live with diabetes.

Type 1 is not preventable, usually appears in children or young adults, and requires daily insulin, blood sugar monitoring, and carb-counted meals. Type 2 is increasingly seen in children and teens, is often linked to lifestyle factors, and is managed through healthy eating, physical activity, and sometimes medication or insulin. Both types call for a care plan coordinated with healthcare providers and school nurses.

VDH Prediabetes and Diabetes Webpage

CLICK on the image above to load the PDF in a new tab.

Parents and guardians with questions are encouraged to contact their child's healthcare provider and/or their school nurse.