Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Awareness

I am grateful for the opportunity to attend and present at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) 2026, held October 7 to 10. It was a privilege to share our research with the CF community and to be part of the conversations driving the field forward. I had the opportunity to present two posters this year, and contribute as a co-author on a third: CForwaRD: Comparison of Abnormalities Detected by Glucose Tolerance Test and Continuous Glucose Monitoring Edeh C, Hodge D, Del Valle Rolon M, Wu M, Green D, Blackman S. [Poster 630] DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2026.07.670 Genetic Modifiers of Glucose Metabolism in Cystic Fibrosis Edeh C, Porter M, Hutson R, Blackman S. [Poster 629] DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2026.07.669 Diabetes Distress Among Individuals with CF-Related Diabetes: A Pilot Study Del Valle Rolon M, Edeh C, Wu M, Blackman S. [Poster 627] DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2026.07.667 It was a meaningful experience to contribute to the growing body of research on CF-related diabetes, a...

High Blood Pressure: What You Can Do to Protect Your Heart, Kidneys, and Brain Photo credit:  Pavel Danilyuk/ Pexels.com May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month, a United States observance founded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to raise awareness about hypertension, one of the most common and most preventable chronic conditions affecting adults today [1]. May is also when the International Society of Hypertension and the World Hypertension League run May Measurement Month, a global campaign that encourages people everywhere to have their blood pressure checked and to understand what their numbers mean [2]. High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it usually causes no symptoms, yet it quietly raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and premature death [3]. This month is an opportunity to understand what blood pressure is, recognize the risk factors, learn your numbers, and take practical steps to protect your he...

Defeat Diabetes  Photo credit: Nataliya Vaitkevich/ Pexels.com April is Defeat Diabetes Month, an annual observance led by the Defeat Diabetes Foundation to raise awareness about the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes [1]. With diabetes now affecting millions of people worldwide, this month is an opportunity to understand how the disease develops, recognize the risk factors, and take practical steps to reduce your chances of developing it or to better manage it if you already have it. What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body cannot properly regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels. Glucose is the body’s primary source of energy, and its regulation depends on insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps move glucose from the bloodstream into cells, where it is used for energy [2]. There are several types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells...

Chronic Kidney Disease: What You Can Do to Protect Your Kidneys Photo credit: Thirdman / Pexels.com March is National Kidney Month, and on March 12, the world will observe World Kidney Day under the 2026 theme, "Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet." This year's campaign draws attention to the growing global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the urgent need for prevention and early detection [1]. What Is Chronic Kidney Disease? The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage. Their primary function is to filter waste products, excess fluid, and toxins from the blood, which are then excreted as urine. The kidneys also play an essential role in regulating blood pressure, maintaining electrolyte balance, and producing hormones that support red blood cell production and bone health [2]. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition in which the kidneys become damaged over time and gr...

I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) 2025 in Seattle. It was a privilege to learn about the incredible collaborations and innovations within the CF community and to be part of the conversations driving research and compassionate care forward. I am also glad to contribute as a co-author on the following poster: CForwaRD: Personalized CFRD Risk Assessment Looking Ahead 1, 2, and 5 Years After the Most Recent OGTT Wu M, Edeh C, Blackman S. [Poster 706] DOI: 10.1016/S1569-1993(25)02322-7   Here’s to continued progress, and I hope for a cure. hashtag # NACFC2025 hashtag # CysticFibrosis hashtag # CF