Athens County will have multiple events to raise awareness for diabetes throughout November.
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and Athens County has ample reason to take note. The incidence of diabetes here is higher than in many other parts of the country and continues to increase every year.
The Diabetes Institute at Ohio University, an institute of the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, has announced a schedule of events to raise awareness of this devastating disease, which affects more than 29.1 million Americans — about one in 11. Every year, more than one million people are newly diagnosed with diabetes. If this trend continues, the Centers for Disease Control estimate that one in three Americans will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
One step anyone can take to combat this trend is to know your personal risk of developing diabetes. To learn more, take this online quiz at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/prediabetes.htm.
During the month of November, community members are invited to take part in the many events supported by the Diabetes Institute in an effort to spread the word more widely about diabetes, its impact and what can be done to prevent it.
- All month - Blue Circle Challenge: The Diabetes Institute is issuing a challenge to any group that wants to join in the battle against diabetes. Create a human “blue circle,” being as creative as you like. Take a picture, and submit it to diabetesinstitute@ohio.edu. Photos will be shared through social media and the Diabetes Institute website.
- All month - Diabetes Certificate Program information: Diabetes Institute staff will be on hand at Ohio University’s Baker Center on Wednesdays and Fridays to answer questions about the Diabetes Certificate Program, a program available to undergraduates and graduates. Ohio University Chapter of the College Diabetes Network will also be there to answer questions and provide updates on Ohio University diabetes research, education, clinical care and outreach.
- Saturday, Nov. 14 - Walk With a Doc: This national walking program aims to encourage people to move toward a healthier lifestyle. Doctors who specialize in diabetes will lead the walk beginning at 8:30 a.m. from the Athens Community Center, and if you walk with them, you will be able to ask them questions directly about your diabetes! This event will mark the third year that Live Healthy Appalachia has partnered with the Diabetes Institute to promote Diabetes Awareness month.
- Saturday, Nov. 14 – Diabetes Expo: This event takes place on World Diabetes Day at the Athens Community Center from 9 a.m. - noon. Free and open to the public, it will feature diabetes-friendly cooking demonstrations, free foot checks and health screenings. There will be dietitians, diabetes educators and other experts there to answer questions. And the first 50 people in the door will get a T-shirt!
- Saturday, Nov. 14 – Bring Diabetes to Light 5K: The second annual running of this race will begin with a 10 a.m. check-in at the Athens Community Center during the Diabetes Expo. The race will begin at the Athens Community Center, proceed down the bike path and return to the community center. To register prior to race day visit www.eventbrite.com/e/bring-diabetes-to-light-5f-tickets-18993467974.
- Friday, Nov. 20 – Diabetes Research Seminar: Katie Weinger, Ed.D., R.N., Ph.D., of the Joslin Diabetes Center at Harvard Medical School, will speak at 3 p.m. in Grover Center room E205. Dr. Weinger is an investigator in the Section of Clinical, Behavioral and Outcomes Research, an associate professor of psychiatry, director of the Office of Research Fellow Affairs and director of the Center for Innovation in Diabetes Education. Her visit is supported by the Endocrine Society’s Visiting Professor Program, supported by Eisai Inc. No registration is required.
For more information on any of these events contact Jodi Van Bibber at vanbibbe@ohio.edu.
The Diabetes Institute at Ohio University focuses on innovative basic and translational research, progressive clinical care, community outreach and academic and professional training to improve the lives of those affected by diabetes. It is an institute of the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, with additional support provided by the College of Health Sciences and Professions, Edison Biotechnology and other Ohio University units. Financial support for the institute is provided through the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation’s transformational gift to the Heritage College supporting its Vision 2020: Leading the Transformation of Primary Care in Ohio strategic plan.
