Take one minute to protect your health: take the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test!

Take one minute to protect your health: take the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test!

South Floridians are urged to take the Diabetes Risk Test on American Diabetes Association Alert Day®   to learn their risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Over 19 testing locations in South Florida are offering health screenings.

By Shaunte Young

Tuesday, March 22, 2016, is the annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day, a “wake-up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. With 86 million people living with prediabetes, most of whom are unaware, it’s important to take one minute to protect your health.

On Alert Day, Americans will be urged to take the risk test at diabetes.org/risktest and to start living a healthy and active life-style to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. On Alert Day 2015, almost 29,000 people took the test with over 37 percent of participants being at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. We are excited to once again encourage everyone to know your risk and get tested at one of the 19 testing locations in South Florida. Participating Alert Day partners Walgreens, Baptist Health South Florida, Memorial Healthcare System and Broward Health will offer a variety of health screenings throughout the day. It only takes one minute to complete, and can save your life.

Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 30 million Americans including. A quarter of those affected by diabetes, are not aware that they have the disease. Recent estimates project that as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take the steps to Stop 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. 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.

You can be part of the movement to Stop Diabetes and get your free Diabetes Risk Test (English, Spanish and Creole), as well as information about diabetes, by visiting at diabetes.org/alert or by calling 1-888-DIABETES (1-888-342-2383).

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes® and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-888-DIABETES (1-888-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.