Free health screenings and presentations will be offered to help prevent and manage diabetes at the third annual U-M World Diabetes Day Health Fair from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday at Four Points by Sheraton-Ann Arbor, 3200 Boardwalk.
An estimated 24 million children and adults in the U.S. live with diabetes (about 8 percent of the population), and an additional 57 million people are at risk for Type 2 diabetes, the most common type. If current trends continue, 1 out of every 3 children born will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
At the fair, clinical and research professionals from the Comprehensive Diabetes Center will provide the latest information on diabetes prevention and treatment, based on their groundbreaking research. All types of diabetes will be covered, including Type 1, Type 2 and diabetes during pregnancy. Emphasis will be placed on avoiding diabetes and its complications.
Diabetes is a serious, costly disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage and amputation.
According to 2007 data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of every five health care dollars is spent caring for someone diagnosed with diabetes, and that people with diabetes in the U.S. incur medical expenses that are more than double that of people without diabetes. The good news is Type 2 diabetes largely can be prevented.
The program offers attendees the chance to talk one-on-one with U-M diabetes experts. Topics to be covered include meal planning, glucose monitoring, exercise, weight loss, stress management, handling sick days and nutrition.
Other U-M health professionals will provide information on the effects of diabetes on the eyes, kidneys, heart, teeth/gums and feet. Attendees also can sign up to participate in diabetes research studies.
Free blood glucose, cholesterol (total and HDL), and blood pressure screenings will be available. Free body-mass calculations and waist-to-hip ratios also will be offered to assess obesity and determine the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes medical supply and pharmaceutical companies will also be on hand. Advance registration for the free event is requested at www.med.umich.edu/diabetes, or by calling 763-0177.
Sponsors are U-M Home Care Services, Eli Lilly & Co., Medtronic, Animas, Dexcom and Lifescan.
