Diabetes, a condition affecting an estimated 29 million Americans, is a metabolic disease in which the body is unable to produce enough insulin to regulate glucose levels in the bloodstream. Many cases of diabetes go undiagnosed. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious and life-threatening conditions including blindness, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and amputation.
 
Diabetes Healthways, Navicent Health invites central Georgians to learn more about diabetes and ways of combatting this illness. Two events are scheduled to raise diabetes awareness within the community.
 
Diabetes Connection Lunch & Learn

· Thursday, February 2, 11:30 a.m.

· Peyton Anderson Cancer Center, Navicent Health (800 First Street, Macon)

· Kim Sinclair, RN, MSN, CDE will present “What’s New in Diabetes”

· Please RSVP to Diabetes Healthways at 478-633-1531 before Friday, January 27.
 
National Diabetes Alert Day

· Tuesday, March 28

· The American Diabetes Association has dedicated this day to encouraging Americans to take a Type 2 Diabetes risk test.

· Visit www.diabetes.org to determine your risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
 
“Diabetes is one of the major health problems in our region, and is most prevalent in Peach and Bibb Counties. Our hope is these events will raise community awareness of diabetes, contributing factors and appropriate management,” said Julie Deese, RN, BSN, CDE, Nurse Manager for Diabetes Healthways-Navicent Health