# Endocrine System, Type 2 Diabetes & Health Equity Guide
> Learn about the endocrine system, insulin resistance, and how social determinants and PFAS chemicals impact Type 2 Diabetes risk and health equity.

Tags: endocrine-system, diabetes, health-equity, insulin-resistance, pfas, public-health, medical-science
## Introduction to the Endocrine System and Type 2 Diabetes
* Capstone presentation covering hormones, health equity, and disease prevention in Lancaster County.

## Understanding the Endocrine System
* A network of glands (pancreas, pituitary, thyroid) that regulate metabolism and blood sugar.
* The pancreas uses beta cells to produce insulin, which manages glucose energy levels.

## Physiology of Insulin Resistance
* **Normal Process:** Beta cells detect blood sugar -> Insulin released -> Cells absorb glucose.
* **Type 2 Diabetes:** Body becomes resistant to insulin, leading to chronically high blood sugar and organ damage.

## Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
* Economic stability impacts diabetes risk through:
  * Reliance on cheap, processed foods.
  * Limited access to healthy food (food deserts).
  * Chronic stress leading to biological insulin resistance.

## Environmental Factors: PFAS Chemicals
* PFAS ('Forever Chemicals') found in nonstick cookware and contaminated water disrupt hormone function.
* Exposure is often higher in low-income communities, compounding metabolic risks.

## Type 2 Diabetes Overview
* **Causes:** Poor diet, lack of exercise, genetics, and PFAS exposure.
* **Impact:** Affects 37+ million Americans; symptoms include fatigue, blurry vision, and frequent urination.
* **Complications:** Heart disease, kidney damage, and nerve damage.

## Health Equity and Disparities
* Diabetes rates are 2–3x higher in low-income and minority populations due to structural barriers and environmental racism.

## Policy Proposal: Healthy Access + Clean Water Initiative
* **The Plan:** Subsidize healthy food, install PFAS water filtration, and provide free screenings.
* **Implementation:** Partnerships with local clinics and federal funding.
* **Goal:** Improve health outcomes and lower long-term healthcare costs.

## Conclusion
* Prevention requires addressing root causes: endocrine disruption, economic instability, and chemical exposure. Policy intervention is key to achieving health equity.
---
This presentation was created with [Bobr AI](https://bobr.ai) — an AI presentation generator.