Diabetes health fair set for Thursday night at Hannibal Regional Diabetes Center

HANNIBAL, Mo. — November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and the Hannibal Regional Diabetes Center will be site of a diabetes health fair from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2.

Diabetes impacts 37.3 million people in the United States, and 8.5 million of those are unaware that they have diabetes. Raising awareness of diabetes is important to help prevent those with pre-diabetes to progress into type 2 diabetes, to help identify signs and symptoms of blood sugar dysregulation and to promote access to care for diabetes and related conditions.

Community members are invited to attend to learn about the healthcare management that goes along with diabetes and diabetes prevention. A variety of booths will be set up with educational materials and resources to support mental and physical health. This event is an opportunity for those with diabetes to gather more information to support their health and a way for people who do not have diabetes to learn about prevention. The Hemoglobin A1C blood test will be available during this event. This test checks the average blood sugar over the past three months.

Hannibal Regional offers a variety of diabetes self-management and education trainings. Jamie Cook and Kristy Taylor serve as certified diabetes care and education specialists (CDCES). A CDCES educates, supports and empowers people with diabetes in a variety of areas such as problem solving, healthy coping, best practices for medication management and reducing risks associated with diabetes.

In a press release, Taylor said, “My top tip for a person with diabetes is to visit with a CDCES every year. Diabetes can be overwhelming, and even when things are going well, there are many areas of life that we don’t initially connect with diabetes; such as traveling, changing shifts at work or how mental health is impacted by diabetes. As a CDCES, I am here to support you and provide you with tools and resources to managing your diabetes in all aspects of your health.”

To learn more about the Diabetes Health Fair or to make an appointment with Cook or Taylor, contact the Hannibal Regional Diabetes Center at 573-629-3382.