Galesburg Reporter

Illinois state Rep. Daniel Swanson (R-Alpha) highlights November as National Diabetes Awareness Month and urges constituents to assess their risk for the chronic health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy.

“Diabetes is a constant battle, not only for those diagnosed, but for their loved ones, caregivers, and health care providers,” a release from his office said. “With the guilt, the blisters, the numbers, the sleepless nights—it’s no wonder it seems impossible that there are good days ahead.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 34 million Americans suffer from diabetes.

“The American Diabetes Association encourages you to take your health into your own hands through awareness, detection, management, and learning to thrive despite your diabetes,” the release said.

This is hardly the first time Swanson has tackled the condition. Swanson crafted a bipartisan piece of legislation that caps monthly insulin costs at $100/ month for marketplace insurance plans and public plans in late 2019.

The American Diabetes Association is hosting a variety of virtual events to teach people how to prevent even pre-diabetes, according to the nonprofit organization’s website. And Swanson's site links to a self-assessment so constituents can better understand their diabetes risks. 

Also in the health arena, Swanson and a host of his Republican colleagues earlier this year called for the state to investigate COVID-19 related deaths at the LaSalle Veterans Home.

The state’s priorities “are screwed up,” the lawmaker said at the time, according to the Metro East Sun.

“We need to focus on our veterans,” Swanson said. “We’ve lost some great American heroes — some who potentially sacrificed their life on a battlefield.”