Department of Health Encourages Testing on Diabetes Alert Day

Only three in 10 New Mexico adults with pre-diabetes are aware of it

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) joins the American Diabetes Association in recognizing Tuesday, March 27, 2018, as “Diabetes Alert Day”. The annual health observance encourages New Mexicans and others nationwide to take a quick, free online Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test and learn how they can delay, or even prevent, the disease.

NMDOH encourages New Mexicans to access the Diabetes Risk Test through the NMDOH Facebook Page or visit the American Diabetes Association® Alert Day®.

“Diabetes Alert Day can be a wakeup call to the dangers of diabetes and the need to make sure more New Mexicans don’t risk becoming a victim of it,” said Department of Health Secretary Lynn Gallagher. “As with many illnesses, early diagnosis is critical for successful treatment.”

An estimated 230,000 New Mexican adults have diabetes, and over 530,000 New Mexican adults have prediabetes, the condition that comes before type 2 diabetes in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal.  NMDOH’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program estimates only three in ten New Mexican adults with prediabetes are aware of it, which prevents them from taking important steps to prevent or delay diabetes.

Left untreated, diabetes complications can lead to heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and even death. Its risk factors include family health history, race/ethnicity, higher body weights, increasing age, smoking, lack of physical activity, and high blood pressure.

NMDOH's Diabetes Prevention and Control supports several programs for New Mexicans to better prevent and manage prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. The programs, offered through the Paths to Health NM: Tools for Healthier Living initiative, are proven to work and improve quality of life. For more information on the program, call Paths to Health NM at 505-850-0176 or 575-703-2343.

To learn more about understanding prediabetes - what it is, risk factors, and other details about the condition, visit the Prediabetes Overview section of our website.

Media Contact

We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact Paul Rhien at 505-470-2290 (Office) with your questions.

Versión en Español

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El Departamento de Salud Alienta a Hacerce Pruebas en el Día de Alerta de Diabetes