TYPE 1 DIABETES EXPERT

By Sterling Allan
From PHN Issue 55, Winter 2024

Note from PHN editors: This article is specifically about managing type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune problem usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood. The author has a lot of experience managing his sugars. What works for him might not work for everyone.

Here in prison, I was able to maintain my A1C in the “normal” range for four years, despite how difficult it is. My purpose here is to share some key takeaways I’ve learned the hard way, so you can benefit from my pioneering efforts without the difficulties.

First, let me say that I no longer target a “normal” blood sugar average, which is 100 mg/dL on the glucometer. My motivation has come from what my doctor told me when I was first diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic two decades ago. He said I could live a full life if I maintained good control of my blood sugar.

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Tips for Navigating Healthcare in Prison

By Chad Miller
From PHN Issue 55, Winter 2024

Please inform your readers that the point and purpose of federal laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are to protect you and your privacy.

Note: I have found when I deal with medical staff concerning my health, records, or services, I throw acronyms like “HIPAA” or “ADA” around and things begin to happen, such as appointments to be seen. I encourage all incarcerated readers to contact your law librarian, counselor or ombudsman at your institution and learn the standard operating procedures to get the staff to perform well. They hold us to a standard; I hold them to the written standards.

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What To Know About MONKEYPOX

By Olivia Duffield
From PHN Issue 50, Summer/Fall 2022

You may have heard recently about an outbreak of a virus called “monkeypox” in the United States and elsewhere. As of July 2022, there have been over 3,000 recorded cases of monkeypox in the U.S. It was declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organization on July 23, and, at this time, there have now been a few cases identified in prisons throughout the U.S.

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