Prediabetes Risk Assessment
Over 37 million Americans have diabetes and 1 out of 5 does not know that they have it. The risk assessment serves several purposes. If you don't have diabetes, the assessment will help you understand your risk for getting diabetes in the future. If you aren't sure whether or not you have diabetes now, it will help you better understand the likelihood, including symptoms and how you can be screened for diabetes.
Published on November 14, 2024
World Diabetes Day Expo Happening Today
By Jenny Young, RDN, LD, CDCES
For the Messenger-Inquirer
Before becoming a Diabetes Educator, my only up close and personal experience with diabetes was with my precious grandmother. I remember the vials of insulin and the syringes. I remember her loving sweets but making sugar-free desserts. I remember the hard candy she always kept in her purse. Even though I was young, I remember her battle. I wish my younger self knew what I now know about diabetes. I wish I could talk to her, see what she was dealing with, and help.
The prevalence of diabetes in Daviess County is 11.5%, higher than the national median of 10.4%. Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States as of 2021, so it is likely someone you know is living with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% - 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes, but we are also seeing the prevalence of Type 1 (formerly referred to as Juvenile) diabetes increasing and being diagnosed later in life. There is still so much to learn.
I worked as a clinical dietitian for many years. Still, it wasn't until I started working in diabetes education in 2020, 20 years after my grandmother passed away, that I truly found my passion. Diabetes is a complex disease that requires an individualized approach to manage. Diabetes affects people of all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities. Everyone’s journey with diabetes is different; there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Our role as diabetes educators is to help you understand what you can do to better optimally control your diabetes. We want to help make it easier for you. We want you to understand what diabetes is, how your medications work in your body, what your blood sugar targets should be, how to prevent complications, the role of nutrition and exercise, what technology is available to assist you, and most of all, we want you to know you are not alone. We want you to know that many of the myths you have heard about diabetes and what you can never eat are most likely not true! We want you to know that diabetes distress is real, and we are here to provide support.
November 14 is World Diabetes Day. It was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and became an official United Nations Day in 2006. This year, we will bring awareness to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes by hosting a World Diabetes Day Expo at the Healthpark! There will be Fun and Facts for those living with diabetes and anyone interested in learning more about diabetes or how to prevent it. We will have over 20 booths with resources for children and adults living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Owensboro Health departments providing information include Endocrinology, Weight Management, Podiatry, Wound Care, Prevention, Pharmacy, Mental Health Counseling, Nutrition and Diabetes Education. Other resources having booths will be Daviess County Public Schools, Owensboro Catholic Schools, Owensboro Public Schools, Green River District Health Department, Daviess County Extension Office, Insulin Pump companies, Breakthrough Type1 (Formerly JDRF), and more!
Event Details
World Diabetes Day Expo
Owensboro Health Healthpark
1006 Ford Ave.
Owensboro, KY 42301
Nov. 14, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome!
In addition to educational resources, there will be activities, crafts, and snacks to enjoy! Blood pressure and free A1c checks will be available while supplies last. Residents from the Family Medicine Residency Clinic will be present to provide education about your results.
So, wear your best blue to support those living with diabetes, and come have some fun with us today! You can drop in any time between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.! We would love to have you at our inaugural World Diabetes Day Expo!
Jenny Young is a Registered Dietitian & Diabetes Educator at Owensboro Health Healthpark.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.