March 25th is the 26th Annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day, a one-day “wake-up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Americans are urged to take the risk test, share it, and start living a healthy and active lifestyle. One way to do this is by joining one of the Association’s Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes events nationwide.
For every Diabetes Risk Test taken, Boar’s Head Brand – a leading provider of premium delicatessen products – will donate $5 to the American Diabetes Association starting March 25 through April 25, 2014, up to $50,000.
The Diabetes Risk Test requires users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors for diabetes. Their results are reported as a numerical score indicating low or high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Those at higher risk are encouraged to speak with their health care provider to learn more about ways to help reduce their risk or delay onset of the disease.
The latest diabetes statistics show that one in three American adults are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Another 79 million American adults have prediabetes, which means that their blood glucose (sugar) is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. What’s more, out of the nearly 26 million Americans with diabetes, one quarter of them, or about seven million, do not realize they have the disease. Recent estimates project that as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take steps to Stop Diabetes.
You can get your free Diabetes Risk Test (English or Spanish), as well as information about diabetes and joining a Step Out event by visiting us on Facebook, diabetes.org/risktest or by calling 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Walgreens is supporting the American Diabetes Association Alert Day efforts and you can ask your local Walgreens pharmacist for a copy of the Diabetes Risk Test. Although Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day event, the Diabetes Risk Test is available year-round.
