Free test indicates diabetes risk

HAYDEN - Tuesday, March 22, is National Diabetes Day for a reason: nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes and about one-third of them don't know it.

Panhandle Health District is encouraging residents of the five northern counties to find out if they're at risk for diabetes by taking the American Diabetes Association Diabetes Risk Test available online at www.phd1.idaho.gov or http://ndep.nih.gov/index.aspx.

The one-page risk test provides information people can take to their doctor for follow-up and will be available March 21-25.

Nearly 90,000 Idaho residents have diabetes and another 80,000 are considered pre-diabetic. They have blood glucose (sugar) levels higher than normal.

PHD is also promoting a Diabetes Day educational fair at Spokane Community College, Saturday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $10.

A free Healthy Eating with Diabetes class will start at Lake City Senior Center on April 18.

Info: 415-5140