There are approximately seven million Americans who have diabetes and don’t know it. The American Diabetic Association estimates another 79 million are pre-diabetic.
Are you one?
The Community Education department at Rapides Regional Medical Center is holding Diabetes Alert Day on Tuesday, March 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to help you find out. The event will be held in the Trellis Room at Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Participants will be asked to complete a short questionnaire, then have their blood pressure and blood glucose measured, as well as height and weight assessments to calculate their BMI. Educational and nutritional information will also be available.
The screenings are free and no reservation is needed. Valet parking is available at the Scott Street entrance of Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
This screening is being held in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association’s annual Alert Day, a one-day "wake-up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes remains the leading cause of kidney failure and blindness in people between the ages of 20-74 years old. Other major diabetic complications include heart disease, stroke, amputations, and diabetic ulcers and wounds.
Some of the major risk factors for diabetes include being overweight or obese, being physically inactive, having a parent or sibling with diabetes, and having a history of gestational diabetes. If you have any of these risk factors, your health may be at risk from undiagnosed Diabetes.
For more information on Diabetic Screening Day at Rapides Regional, call (318) 769-3445.