Granville Vance Public Health is sponsoring a program Monday at the Lincoln Heights Apartment Community Room to talk about Type 2 diabetes and how to reduce the risk of getting that life-changing diagnosis.
Wendy Ji, regional coordinator for the Minority Diabetes Prevention Program, was on TownTalk Thursday to share details about the upcoming event, which includes lunch and drawings to win prizes.
“Let’s Talk About Diabetes” is a free program that will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Ji said. It’s just one way state health officials collaborate with local health departments to help individuals understand how a diagnosis of prediabetes can be reversed with simple lifestyle changes.
The MDPP that Ji coordinates serves Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren and four other nearby counties.
“It’s very difficult to manage Type 2 diabetes,” Ji noted, adding that this program focuses on helping individuals understand what prediabetes is and how to keep it from developing into full-blown disease.
“Over one in three (people) have prediabetes,” Ji said. But only 80 percent of those are aware that they have it. “Being aware you are at risk is important to know so you can get resources and make lifestyle changes,” she said.
Someone with prediabetes has blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but they haven’t climbed into the level to indicate diabetes.
More classes will be offered in the fall across the service area, Ji said. Individuals can have their A1C levels tested Monday, but there also is a 7-question screener to help participants understand their risk for developing diabetes.
Visit www.preventdiabetesnc.org to learn more.
Contact Ji at 252.492.7195, ext 125.
En español: Llamar a Elizabeth Lugo, 252.492.7195, ext.269.
Lincoln Heights Apartments is located at 257 Lincoln St., Henderson.
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