October 27, 2010 Media contact: Amy B. Garber
E-mail: amyg@umich.edu
Phone: 734-763-0177

Learn about diabetes at the U-M World Diabetes Day Health Fair on Nov. 13

Learn more:
U-M Comprehensive Diabetes Center

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Marking the American Diabetes Association’s National Diabetes Awareness Month and the United Nations’ World Diabetes Day, the University of Michigan Comprehensive Diabetes Center will host its 4th Annual U-M World Diabetes Day Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13.

The purpose of the diabetes health fair is to inform the public about how to manage diabetes and its complications and, ideally, how to avoid them. The event will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, located at 3200 Boardwalk, in Ann Arbor.

Those who register in advance are eligible for door prizes, but walk-ins also are allowed. For advance registration by Nov. 10, visit www.med.umich.edu/diabetes/ or contact (734) 763-0177 or diabetes@umich.edu.

At the U-M World Diabetes Day Health Fair, clinical and research professionals from the U-M Comprehensive Diabetes Center and the U-M Health System will provide the latest information on diabetes prevention and treatment, based on their groundbreaking research at U-M.

In addition to the exhibits in the Michigan Ballroom and lobby, there will be two presentations in the Petit Room:

The health fair offers attendees the chance to talk one-on-one with U-M diabetes experts. Topics to be covered include:

Other U-M health professionals will provide information on the effects of diabetes on the eyes, kidneys, heart, and teeth/gums.

All types of diabetes will be covered, including type 1, type 2, pre-diabetes and diabetes during pregnancy. A special emphasis will be placed on avoiding diabetes and/or its complications by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This year, more interactive booths have been added, where visitors can participate in activities such as trying out simple exercises, selecting fake food portions to “Rate Your Plate,” and guessing the sugar and fat content of foods and beverages.

Free blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure screenings will be available. A new addition this year will be kidney screenings, offered by the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Kidney disease is a severe complication of diabetes.

Free body-mass calculations and waist-to-hip ratios also will be offered to assess obesity and determine the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes medical supply and pharmaceutical companies also will be on hand to display their latest products and to answer questions.

U-M researchers looking for participants to join their clinical studies will be present to explain what their studies involve and who is eligible. For most studies, payment is provided upon successful completion of the requirements. If applicable, study medications are provided at no charge as well. In addition, many studies need healthy subjects to serve as “controls,” as well as individuals with diabetes. Family and friends of people with diabetes can feel they are making a difference and helping to find a cure when they volunteer for a clinical study. For more information on clinical studies at U-M, visit www.umclinicalstudies.org.

Type 2 diabetes is on the rise in Michigan and the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes increased 13.5 percent between 2005 and 2007. The American Diabetes Association estimates that 24 million children and adults in the U.S. currently live with diabetes – which represents about 8 percent of the population – and an additional 57 million people are at risk for type 2 diabetes, the most common type.

If current trends continue, 1 out of every 3 children born today will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
Diabetes is a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage and amputation. The CDC’s 2007 data indicate that 1 out of every 5 health care dollars in the U.S. (20 percent) is spent caring for someone diagnosed with diabetes, and that people with diabetes in the U.S. incur medical expenses that are more than double that of people without diabetes. The nation spends $11,744 in health care costs on each person with diabetes, compared to $2,935 on those without diabetes, according to 2007 figures. Yet, type 2 diabetes can largely be prevented!
 

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What: University of Michigan World Diabetes Day Health Fair

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13

Where: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, 3200 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Cost: FREE, but advance registration is requested to be eligible for door prizes (walk-ins also allowed)

Register: Visit www.med.umich.edu/diabetes/, call 734-763-0177 or send an e-mail to diabetes@umich.edu. For more information, visit www.med.umich.edu/diabetes/


Sponsors:

Resources:
U-M Comprehensive Diabetes Center
www.med.umich.edu/diabetes/

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/

American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org/

United Nations’ World Diabetes Day
http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/