Office
Department of Health promotes free risk test on Diabetes Alert Day
300,000 New Mexican adults are diabetic and 640,000+ are prediabetic
SANTA FE - The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) recognizes Tuesday, March 22 as “Diabetes Alert Day” and encourages New Mexicans to take a free online test to screen themselves for risk. In New Mexico, it is estimated that 300,000 adults have diabetes and more than 640,000 are prediabetic. Six out of ten adults with prediabetes are unaware of their condition. Without a diagnosis, those adults are unable to take the important steps to prevent or delay the progression of diabetes.
“We want to increase people’s awareness not only of this severe disease, but the many options available to mitigate risk,” said Acting Cabinet Secretary David R. Scrase, M.D. “Especially considering the hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans who can be helped with early interventions.”
In partnership with the American Diabetes AssociationDiabetes Alert Day is a one-day “wake-up call” that focuses on the seriousness of the condition and awareness of the risk for disease. Risk factors include a family history of diabetes, race/ethnicity, higher body weight, increasing age, smoking, lack of physical activity, high blood pressure, and a history of gestational diabetes.
NMDOH’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program utilizes state and federal funds to support programs to prevent and manage prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity. 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, visit https://www.pathstohealthnm.org/ or call (505) 850-0176 or (575) 703-2343.
Media Contact
We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact Katy Diffendorfer at (Office) with your questions.
Versión en Español
En un esfuerzo para hacer que nuestros comunicados de prensa sean más accesibles, también tenemos disponibles una versión en español. Por favor presione el enlace de abajo para acceder a la traducción.