Words from the Experts on Medical Homes

“Recent studies have found a link between diabetes and depression. This doesn’t mean that if you have diabetes, you also have depression,” says Ms. Vah. ”But it’s important to understand that after a diagnostic test confirming that you or a family member have diabetes, there will be many changes in your life.

Managing diabetes can be stressful: you have to learn about the disease, control your glucose level, and constantly monitor what you eat at home and when you’re out. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, restless, resentful, have trouble sleeping, or you don’t have energy to do what you enjoy, your primary healthcare provider can help!”

Elizabeth Vah, LMSW, Behavioral Health Consultant, Austin Travis County Integral Care. Vah collaborates with CommUnity Care at William Cannon and ATCIC, where she helps patients discuss anxiety, depression and problems related to family crisis.

“In Austin, 40% of Hispanics suffer from the terrible disesase diabetes, compared to 20% of the general population.” says Dr. Stephen Pont. “It’s clear that obesity has become an epidemic in our city, particularly in our Hispanic communities.

Visiting your primary health-care provider regularly will help you develop healthy eating and exercise habits. It will also help you catch early signs of diabetes, so you can prevent this disease from taking over your life.”

Dr. Stephen Pont is a physician at the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas (Seton Family of Hospitals) and is medical director for AISD’s Student Health Services.