Tuesday, March 23, 2010 is American Diabetes Association Alert Day

What is American Diabetes Association Alert Day?
Alert Day is a one-day, “wake-up” call asking the American public – “What will you do to Stop Diabetes? Know your risk.” Held on the fourth Tuesday of every March. The American Diabetes Association will encourage people to joint the Stop Diabetes movement by taking the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Why is Diabetes Alert Day important?
Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States. An additional 57 million, or one in five Americans have pre-diabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is named the “silent killer” because nearly one-fourth of those with the disease – 5.7 million – do not know they have it. For many, diagnosis may come seven to ten years after the onset of the disease. Therefore, early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.

Who should participate in Diabetes Alert Day?
Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight, under active and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the disease. African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders and people who have a family history of the disease also are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.