Ohio is adding new diabetics at the rate of 10% every year! There are 63,000 more diabetics this year than last bringing the total in Ohio to just over one-million people. Not only are the numbers skyrocketing, but many people remain unaware of their situation. Up to one quarter of those with diabetes don?t know they have the disease.
Pam Dummermuth, Community Health and Wellness Coordinator at Union Hospital, says it?s a problem that?s closely connected to our growing waistlines.
?The diabetes epidemic mirrors the increasing number of overweight and obese adults and children,? Dummermuth said. ?In Ohio about two thirds of adults and teens fall into the category of overweight or obese.
Dummermuth said the number of people with diabetes has nearly doubled in the last ten years with the largest increase among children.
?The Diabetes Epidemic: Are You at Risk?? is the title of a free community program to be offered at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 29 at Union Hospital. Ann Strauss, RN, a Certified Diabetes Educator in the hospital?s department of Education Services, will explain the risk factors for diabetes as well as techniques that can help to manage the disease. Healthy food alternatives will be offered for taste testing and those attending the program will receive a voucher for a free HBG A1C diabetic screening event to be offered in August and September.
Strauss? presentation will be in the hospital?s Toomey Conference Room on the ground floor. To reserve a seat register on-line at www.unionhospital.org ?Health Events?,or call the UH Community Relations office at (330) 602-0778.
Strauss cites The American Diabetes Association data which says states the disease killed more than 234,000 Americans in 2005, the latest year with data on causes of death.
?If asked to name the greatest threat to American health, it's unlikely that diabetes would be toward the very top of most people?s list,? Strauss said. ?But if untreated it can lead to kidney failure, blindness, amputation, heart attack or stroke.?
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