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For Immediate Release
Date: March 20, 2017
Contact: Leslie Piotrowski
(847) 377-8055
Hannah Goering
(847) 377-8099
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Diabetes Alert Day is March 28. This annual observance reminds us about the
seriousness of diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the United
States. The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center wants you
to take action in three ways:
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Take the
Diabetes Risk Test to determine if you may be at risk for prediabetes: doihaveprediabetes.org. The screening test takes
less than one minute to complete.
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Talk to your doctor about additional testing
if your score indicates you are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. If you do not
have a doctor, call the Lake County Health Department and Community Health
Center to make an appointment at 847-377-8800.
A person with
prediabetes has a blood sugar level higher than normal, but not high enough for
a diagnosis of diabetes. Catching prediabetes early can help prevent diabetes
and help people avoid serious health complications including heart disease,
blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations.
Risk factors for developing diabetes include
weight, age, family history, history
of gestational diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and certain
ethnic backgrounds, such as African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, American
Indians, Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders.
Diabetes affects more than 29 million Americans or about 9
percent of the U.S. population. It is estimated that one in every four persons
with diabetes, or 8 million Americans, are unaware that they have the disease. A
recent survey of Lake County residents indicated that as many 31,000 adults may
have been diagnosed with diabetes and as many as 73,000 adults may have been
diagnosed with prediabetes.
The Health Department offers
diabetes prevention and treatment programs at the North Chicago Health Center,
Belvidere Medical Building in Waukegan and North Shore Health Center in
Highland Park. To make an appointment with a Health Department provider, call
847-377-8800. For more information, visit: http://www.lakecountyil.gov/2018/Diabetes-Prevention-Treatment.
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