Blues artist Bobby Rush performs one of his songs during the Mississippi State Department of Health’s “Giving Diabetes the Blues” event at the Jackson Medical Mall in Jackson, Miss., on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

Jackson— Grammy-winning blues artist Bobby Rush headlined the Mississippi State Department of Health’s “Giving Diabetes the Blues” event at the Jackson Medical Mall on Nov. 21. Part of National Diabetes Month, the event featured live blues music, cooking demonstrations, the launch of a new diabetes cookbook and health screenings. A resource fair offered educational materials and opportunities to connect with health care providers.

The second day of the event, held at Two Museums in Jackson on Nov. 22, highlighted advancements in diabetes care, including continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps. Expert-led sessions focused on management strategies and lifestyle changes to improve long-term health outcomes.

Attendees have their glucose levels checked during the Mississippi State Department of Health’s “Giving Diabetes the Blues” event at the Jackson Medical Mall in Jackson, Miss., on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

Mississippi ranks second in the nation for diabetes prevalence, with an estimated 1 in 6 residents living with the disease, according to the Health Department. About 21,000 Mississippians are diagnosed with diabetes annually.

Diabetes affects the body’s ability to use food, leading to high blood sugar levels that can cause serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems and amputations.

“Mississippi has over 800,000 residents with prediabetes,” said MSDH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Justin Turner. “When you combine those with diabetes and prediabetes, it’s about a third of our population. Many people don’t even know they have it, which is why events like this are so important.”

Turner addressed common misconceptions about diabetes.

“A lot of patients think getting diabetes is a death sentence, or that insulin automatically means dialysis,” he said. “The purpose of insulin or other treatments is to prevent those outcomes, not guarantee them.”

Experts at the event emphasized the need for early detection and consistent management to prevent complications.

“Diabetes can affect everything — from your eyes to your legs,” said Dr. Percy Anderson, a podiatrist and guest speaker on the panel. “Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and other serious conditions.”

The two-day event aimed to empower attendees with tools for prevention and management. “Meeting the community where they are is key. We don’t have all the answers, but together, we can make a difference,” Turner said.