More than 75 people took the Type 2 Diabetes risk test and other free health screenings
On Tuesday, March 28, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Keswick Community Health hosted the ADA’s annual Alert Day and Community Resource Fair at Keswick. Each year, Alert Day isan opportunity to sound the alarm about the prevalence and risks of type 2 diabetes.
More than 75 community members attended the event at Keswick to take the free Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test, which reports results as a numerical score indicating low or high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Those at a higher risk were encouraged to speak with their health care providers to learn more about how to reduce their risk or delay the onset of the disease. By answering questions such as “Do you have a family history of diabetes?” and “Are you physically active?” participants learned if they were at risk for developing type 2 diabetes in just 60 seconds.
The event included 15 community partners such as Johns Hopkins, Wilmer Eye Clinic, University of Maryland, and Maryland Insurance Administration, who provided free glucose and glaucoma screenings, blood pressure screenings and BMI calculations, along with information on how to access health care, energy savings, tobacco cessation and more. Attendees enjoyed a healthy meal after engaging in 30 minutesof exercise by Reinvent U Bootcamp.
“Because of our role as a community health resource, we recognize the importance of partnering with the ADA to host this year’s Alert Day and Community Resource Fair. Alert Day was an opportunity to promote diabetes awareness both in the community and on the Keswick campus,” said Carmel Roques, CEO of Keswick. “We know that providing people with the tools necessary to take control of their health is the first step in helping them to make lifestyle changes that will lead to healthier behaviors and outcomes. Taking the test made people aware of their risk factors and offered information on preventative measures that they could take immediately.”
“We look forward to our continued partnership with the ADA as together we can offer educational programming and activities focusing on topics such as healthier lifestyle choices and chronic disease management,” added Roques.
According to the ADA, an estimated 8 million Americans with diabetes are currently undiagnosed, with 156,000 undiagnosed in Maryland specifically. In addition, 86 million American adults have prediabetes—a condition in which blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Nine out of 10 people with the condition don’t know they have it, and prediabetes almost always precedes a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. People with diabetes are at significant risk for serious complications, including kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, blindness and lower-limb amputations. However, people can prevent or delay their risk for developing type 2 diabetes through healthy lifestyle changes.
About Keswick
With more than 130 years of expertise, Keswick is a community health resource and the premier provider of services for older adults in the Baltimore area. Committed to enhancing the quality of life for the guests, residents and community it serves, Keswick provides a variety of award winning services that enhance their lives and get them back to doing what they love. Keswick offers Rehabilitation Services, Community Health Services, Adult Day Services, and Long-Term Care. For more information about Keswick services and community health initiatives, call 410-662-4363, visitwww.ChooseKeswick.org or find us on Facebook (@keswickmulticarecenter).
About the American Diabetes Association
More than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and every 23 seconds another person is diagnosed with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (Association) is the global authority on diabetes and since 1940 has been committed to its mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To tackle this global public health crisis, the Association drives discovery in research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and provides support and advocacy for people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes and the health care professionals who serve them. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
