Chicago has a long way to go when it comes to diabetes awareness amongst the general public, says pharmaceutical company Abbott. And if the picture in Chicago is representative of the nation as a whole, we should all be very concerned. Or should we? Yes, diabetes awareness - or lack thereof - is a problem. But is Abbott painting an overly pessimistic picture of the situation?

Abbott's comments about Chicago came as it announced the results of a poll sponsored to evaluate public understanding of diabetes in the city. The initiative was in preparation for the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions, which begin June 22 in Chicago. (Abbott's North American home base is in Abbott Park, Illinois, near Chicago.)

Abbott's conclusion? Most people surveyed flunked out big-time when it came to basic facts like how diabetes affects the body and how the condition can be managed. The findings are as follows: twenty-eight percent of Chicagoans know little or nothing about diabetes, while thirty-five percent of non-diabetics say they are not prepared to manage diabetes should they themselves be diagnosed in the future. My view: the former is a problem, but at least it means a majority do know something about it. And what of the the latter (preparedness)? So what if many Average Joes say they're unprepared to deal with diabetes themselves. I'd bet very few people indeed would be prepared to manage a chronic condition with which they have not yet been diagnosed! Other findings portrayed by Abbott as problematic: twenty-three percent believe glucose monitoring involves pain, while eighteen percent believe diabetics cannot eat carbohydrates at all. Again, is the glass half empty or is it half full? Quite honestly, I'm pleasantly surprised that most of those polled know better. On the up-side, Abbott does acknowledge the good news that eighty-eight percent believe having diabetes does not necessarily preclude living a long and healthy life. Another factor to keep in mind: only five hundred people participated in the poll.

Bottom line: Abbott's press release paints an extremely, and I would say overly, dire picture of the situation. Yes, many people are still pretty darn ignorant about diabetes. They may not be able to write you an essay describing its exact cause or all the treatment options. However, most now grasp that it is a serious chronic condition. Is it hopelessly optimistic to believe that things can only get better from here?