Learn Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes During American Diabetes Association® Alert Day®
YMCA of GNO and the American Diabetes Association partner to increase awareness of diabetes and local early intervention opportunities
Tuesday, March 27, marks the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA’s) annual Alert Day, an opportunity to sound the alarm about the prevalence and risks of type 2 diabetes by asking our community members to take the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test.
The free, anonymous risk test is available online on the YMCA of Greater New Orleans’ Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) webpage. It only takes a minute to complete. By answering questions such as “Do you have a family history of diabetes?” and “Are you physically active?” participants can learn if they’re at risk for developing type 2 diabetes in just 60 seconds. The risk test reports results as a numerical score indicating low or high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
“You can lower your risk for type 2 diabetes with healthy food choices, weight loss, exercise and medication, but knowing your risk is the first step,” said Donna Betzer, Director of Development for the American Diabetes Association, Greater New Orleans Area. “Today we’re asking our community members to take the one-minute test to find out if they’re at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and we hope participants will share the test with friends and family.”
Additionally, the Superdome is aiding in spreading awareness for the local community by going red. Residents are encouraged to check it out after the Pelicans game around 10:30 pm on Tuesday, March 27th.
Even beyond Alert Day, the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) helps overweight adults at risk for type 2 diabetes reduce their risk for developing the disease by taking steps that will improve their overall health. DPP is a yearlong program featuring 16 weekly sessions followed by monthly meetings and also includes a free membership to the local YMCA for the participants and their families. The classes are led by a trained lifestyle coach in a classroom setting and teaches participants realistic, healthier eating tools and habits along with safe ways to increase physical activity. Classes are available in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes and other surrounding communities.
Additionally, the ADA Wellness Lives Here initiative inspires awareness and healthy habits both at work and at home. Year-round engagement empowers families, community groups, organizations and companies to drive healthy behaviors and amplify health messaging. For some, it will mean fewer sick days and higher productivity. For others, it will mean looking and feeling better. For everyone, it will mean more empowered New Orleanians who can better control, delay or prevent diabetes and other health problems. To learn more about the Wellness Lives Here initiative, visit www.diabetes.org.
“ADA Alert Day can serve as a wake-up call for people to learn their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes—conditions that are preventable if they take steps to improve their health,” said Erica Halpern, YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program Director. “Many people don’t realize they are at risk and finding out is not only good for your health, but good for your wallet too.”
Anyone can participate in Alert Day by taking the free Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test on the YMCA’s DPP site here.
Alert Day is sponsored nationally by Quest Diagnostics Health & Wellness and CVS Pharmacy.
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About the American Diabetes Association of Louisiana and Mississippi
Nearly half of American adults have diabetes or prediabetes; more than 30 million adults and children have diabetes; and every 21 seconds, another individual is diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The ADA drives discovery by funding 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 works to safeguard policies and programs that protect people with diabetes. In addition, the ADA supports people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes, and the health care professionals who serve them through information and programs that can improve health outcomes and quality of life. For more information, please call the ADA 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).
About the YMCA of Greater New Orleans
The YMCA of Greater New Orleans is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.ymcagreaterneworleans.org