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. Justin Turner, chief medical officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, leads a panel discussion on diabetes during the department’s “Giving Diabetes the Blues” event at the Jackson Medical Mall in Jackson, Miss., on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today Audience members listen during the panel discussion at 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 Catherine Moring, project director and co-founder of Diabetes Solutions, checks Barbara Hill’s glucose levels 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 Danae Brown, Mississippi community outreach specialist for Senior Medicare Patrol, provides information and resources at 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 Cameron Jones, a medical assistant with Mississippi Eye Care, assists with eye exams 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 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 Ann Littleton enjoys three-time Grammy-winning blues musician Bobby Rush 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 Blues musician Bobby Rush laughs with audience members during his performance at 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 Musicians accompany three-time Grammy-winning blues artist Bobby Rush during his performance at 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 Blues musician Bobby Rush plays his harmonica during his performance at 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 The post Photos: Health Department’s ‘Giving Diabetes the Blues’ event appeared first on Mississippi Today.