St. Elizabeth's Hospital issued the following announcement on March 6.
HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Wound Care Center along with Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at HSHS Medical Group encourages the public to take a free Diabetes Risk Test on Tuesday, March 26 in support of American Diabetes Association Alert Day. This nationally recognized day is a “wake-up call” asking the American public to take a one-minute Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
The Risk Test, which is available for all ages, asks users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risks for pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Preventive tips are provided for everyone who takes the test, including encouraging those at high risk to talk to their health care provider.
Staff from St. Elizabeth’s Wound Care Center will be stationed in the St. Elizabeth’s Health Center Lobby, at 3 St. Elizabeth’s Boulevard, O’Fallon, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on this day to offer the free risk assessment test, answer questions and provide information for available diabetes resources.
According to the American Diabetes Association, over 30 million people are living with diabetes in the United States, and a quarter of them – seven million – do not even know they have it. An additional 84 million, or one in three American adults, have pre-diabetes, which puts them at a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Unfortunately, diagnosis often comes seven to 10 years after the onset of the disease, after disabling and even deadly complications have had time to develop.
Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight, inactive (living a sedentary lifestyle without regular physical activity) and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the disease. African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and people who have a family history of the disease are also at an increased risk.
“If you or someone you know may be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, we encourage you stop by our Diabetes Alert Day event to take the free Self-Assessment Risk test, or visit www.diabetes.org/takeaminute. It’s also important to talk to your doctor about your concerns,” said Jeanette Martineau, RN, BSN and Program Director of St. Elizabeth’s Wound Care Center. “Early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment of diabetes, and may allow you to delay or prevent diabetes related complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, nerve damage, problem wounds, amputation and death.”
HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital partners with Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at HSHS Medical Group in O’Fallon to offer the residents of Southwestern Illinois world-class diabetes and endocrinology care. Joslin Diabetes Center, based in Boston, is the world's leader in caring for diabetes in all its forms, combining comprehensive experience and expertise with the latest advances in research, education and treatment. Joslin Diabetes Center’s multi-disciplinary approach ensures that people with diabetes get state-of-the-art medical care, patient education, and aggressive prevention and management of complications.
For more information about diabetes services, including HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Wound Care Center, visit www.steliz.org, or call (618) 234-2120, ext. 32742. To learn more about Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at HSHS Medical Group, call (618) 589-9051 or visit www.hshsmedicalgroup.org.
Original source can be found here.
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