Of the nearly 30 million people in the nation with diabetes, about a quarter of them—eight million—do not even know they have it. Because of this number, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) is urging county residents to take the Diabetes Risk Test.
“We encourage people to take this test, either online or on paper, to learn if they are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Preventing the disease starts with knowing your risk factors and taking action,” said Karen Hacker, MD, MPH, ACHD director.
People who are overweight, inactive and 45 or older should consider themselves at risk for the disease.
Additional risk factors include having a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, having had gestational diabetes and African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander heritage.
To do the risk test, click on https://diabetes.org/takethetest or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).
The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh offers a Diabetes Prevention Program. For information, contact Gretchen North at 412-227-3820.
Another resource for adopting a healthier lifestyle is Live Well Allegheny at https://www.livewellallegheny.com/.
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