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Diabetes Alert Day
SOUTHERN MARYLAND - 3/23/2009
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Assess your diabetes risk during the twenty-first annual Diabetes Alert Day on March 24. The American Diabetes Association observes this as a one-day call to action encouraging all Americans to take the Diabetes Risk Test and find out if they are in danger of developing type 2 diabetes. Nearly 23.6 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and nearly a quarter of those do not know they have diabetes. What’s more, one in five Americans is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Early diagnosis is of the utmost importance to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of diabetes’ complications, which can include heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and even death.
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
The diabetes risk test is free and is available by calling 1-(800)-DIABETES or visiting www.diabetes.org/alert.
Watch for Diabetes Alert Day activities throughout St. Mary’s County, sponsored by the St. Mary’s County Type 2 Diabetes Coalition. In addition, St. Mary’s Hospital’s diabetes educator will be on board the Health Connections Mobile Outreach Center at Millison Plaza in Lexington Park, Md., to discuss your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes and answer your questions.
The hospital also offers diabetes group classes and individual counseling, according to the patient’s preference and needs. Diabetes educators offer a free “Keeping Current” class for past participants of our “Diabetes Self-Management” ADA-recognized education program and other individuals interested in learning more about diabetes. Our educators also speak to community groups and host an annual diabetes fair with free health screenings, lectures on diabetes topics, children’s activities and more. Medicare and most insurance plans cover these diabetes education programs. Don’t let finances or lack of insurance stop you from managing diabetes; our patient assistance program may be able to help. For more information, call Health Connections at (301) 475-6019.
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