Public health underlines the importance of prevention and proactive care of one's body. As people age, they must follow certain guidelines to ensure they age healthily and successfully. One of the biggest concerns with the aging population is chronic diseases. Chronic diseases are long-term diseases that have a slow progression. Once chronic diseases surpass “certain symptomatic or diagnostic thresholds,” they become a permanent aspect of an individual's life because “medical and personal regimens can sometimes control them but rarely cure them” (Albert and Freeman 105). One chronic condition that is a cause for concern is diabetes. Diabetes is not only a leading cause of death in the population over the age of 65, but also one of the most widespread and debilitating conditions (111). Diabetes is a chronic disease or condition involving the hormone insulin, which helps regulate the amount of glucose in a person's bloodstream. When cells need energy the pancreas produces insulin; this mechanism allows cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body has become resistant to its own insulin; this leaves too much glucose in the blood as there is no insulin present to drive it to the cells (“Diabetes”). There are two types of diabetes that affect the world's population: Type I and Type II. Type I is typically prevalent in children and is characterized by an insulin deficiency. Type II diabetes occurs in adulthood and occurs when the body becomes resistant to the insulin it produces. Type II affects approximately 90% of people with diabetes worldwide. Due to the similarity of symptoms between both types...... middle of paper...... Disease Control and Prevention, 01 August 2011. Web. 03 May 2012. "Diabetes". World Health Organization. World Health Organization, August 2011. Web. 03 May 2012. "HealthEase." Division of Aging and Community Services. State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Network. May 03, 2012. “Medicare Diabetes Screening Project.” Medicare Diabetes Screening Project. Network. 03 May 2012. .Span, Paula. “For older diabetics, questions about aggressive care.” New York Times. New York Times, April 11, 2011. Web. May 3 2012. .