On November 14^th Fulton County Health Center will join facilities throughout the country in promoting diabetes awareness on World Diabetes Day. This event is part of American Diabetes Month, celebrated each November. The focus of American Diabetes Month is to provide education about prevention and treatment of diabetes complications. Currently 23.6 million people or 7.8% of the United States population have diabetes. Diabetes in children worldwide is increasing in prevalence. Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented with lifestyle changes, such as getting physical activity daily, eating healthy foods with proper portion sizes, and losing 7-10% of their body weight. The diabetes education department and the dietitians at FCHC are available to help.

On November 14^th or World Diabetes Day, Fulton County Health Center has planned several activities throughout the day to promote diabetes awareness. This year the focus is on children and diabetes. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases to affect children. Globally, there are close to 500,000 children under the age of 15 with type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes in children is becoming a global public health issue with potentially serious outcomes.

During the day Fulton County Health Center’s Diabetes Education office will celebrate World Diabetes Day with various activities throughout the day that include:

1. Free blood sugar screening at Fulton County Health Center from 7am-9am in the FCHC Main Lobby.
2. Information on children and diabetes in the FCHC cafeteria from 11am-12:30pm
3. A community walk in remembrance of the 246 million people worldwide that have diabetes. The walk will start in Rotary Park beginning at 1:30pm. We will walk on the Wabash Cannonball Trail. We hope to have adults and kids of all ages (homeschooled, preschool) join us; the walk will be 30 minutes or less. Candles will be distributed as a reminder of this year’s theme: “Shine a light on diabetes.”

For more information about American Diabetes month or World Diabetes Day, contact the FCHC Diabetes Education office at 419-330-2772 or if you need help with your diabetes control.