American Diabetes Alert® Day is March 27

ALEXANDRIA, VA - American Diabetes Association will sound the alert to the
60 million Americans who are unaware they have diabetes or are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes
WHAT: The American Diabetes Association’s American Diabetes Alert® is a one-day, “wake-up” call to inform the public about the seriousness of diabetes, particularly when diabetes is left undiagnosed or untreated. American Diabetes Alert® Day encourages those at risk for developing type 2 diabetes to take the American Diabetes Risk Test and, if they score high, to schedule an appointment to see their doctor. The risk test, in English or Spanish, is available in brochure form by calling the Association toll-free at 1-800- DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or by visiting www.diabetes.org/risk-test.
WHO: The American Diabetes Association is the leading non-profit health organization dedicated to preventing and curing diabetes and to improving the lives of the nearly 21 million children and adults currently living with the disease.
WHEN: Held on the fourth Tuesday of every March, the 19th annual American Diabetes Alert® is March 27, 2007.
WHY: * Nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes – and one third of them are unaware they have the disease.
* Another 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts them at serious risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
* Among the primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes are being overweight, sedentary, over the age of 45 and having a family history of diabetes. African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at an increased risk, as are women who have had babies weighing more than nine pounds at birth.
* Unfortunately, people with type 2 diabetes can live for years without realizing that they have the disease. While people with diabetes can exhibit noticeable symptoms, such as frequent urination, blurred vision and excessive thirst, most people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes do not show these overt warning signs at the time that they develop the disease.
* Often, type 2 diabetes only becomes evident when people develop one or more of its serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage, and nerve damage that can lead to amputations.
* Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease and has no cure.