Diabetes is a growing epidemic in New York City, but Doctors say the chronic disease is manageable and preventable.

Wilberto Roman has type two diabetes. He was diagnosed nearly three years ago after an infection sent him to the hospital for testing.

"They did the works on me to find out the sugar was really high, my blood sugar...at first it was very shocking like, 'oh my God, that was never my path,'" said Wilberto Roman.

More than 773,000 New Yorkers are living with Diabetes, according to data from the NYC Health Department.

"It actually happens to be a growing epidemic, is a condition where glucose, sugars run high, it leads to inflammatory changes, leads to various complications that infect blood vessels, the heart, and kidneys," said Dr. Hanna J. Lee, the Clinical Diabetes Program Director at Montefiore.

The Promised Program at Montefiore Medical Center is a support group that helps provide tools for diabetes self-management and education.

"Any kind of healthier lifestyle is going to definitely be a powerful way to treat, manage and control diabetes," said Dr. Lee.

Dr. Lee recommended Roman to the Promised Program following his diagnosis. Roman says a healthier lifestyle has helped him loose 80 pounds in the last year and a half. He was also able to ditch insulin and limit his medications.

"That was unhealthy eat, not watching my diet, not exercising, I learned that all through the course they offered here, they only have me on Ozempic and their goal is to remove me from that all together, I made the sacrifice, I gave up the rice and beans, I made a commitment to myself, I feel more energetic," said Roman.

Montefiore is hosting a variety of events throughout November to raise awareness and education for Diabetes.

The Promised Program accepts referrals. For more information patients can call 718-920-7247.