Why is Diabetes Alert Day important?
23.6 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes- Nearly one-quarter of those do not know they have diabetes
- One in five Americans is at risk for developing type II diabetes
For many, diagnosis may come seven to ten years after the onset of the disease. Therefore, early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.
Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight, under active (living a sedentary lifestyle), and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the disease. African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and people who have a family history of the disease are at an increased risk for type II diabetes.
Watch this video to learn more.
Source: This post was a excerpt from: 21st Annual Diabetes Alert Day. In Community Programs and Local Events. Alexandria, VA: American Diabetes Association. [cited March 22, 2009] Available at <http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/ american-diabetes-alert.jsp?WTLPromo=FNLP_alert>
