Fact: Diabetes affects more than 29 million Americans or about 9 percent of the U.S. population. It’s also estimated that 1 in every 4 persons with diabetes, or 8 million Americans are unaware that they have the disease. If you have a family history of diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes. You are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are over age 45, are overweight, or are not physically active.
It’s time to become aware of your status!
Today on National American Diabetes Association Alert Day, individuals observe an annual one-day “wake-up call”. With the intent to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes, the American Diabetes Association encourages all to take the diabetes risk test and learn about your family’s history of diabetes.
Created to occur the fourth Tuesday in March, “Alert Day” is an awareness programs established in 1986. As a result, it has been a part of their growing diabetes education and prevention efforts in the United States.
