Next Tuesday, the Douglas County Health Department is holding a free forum called, “The Prediabetes Predicament: What Business Leaders Can Do To Take Action.”
Celeste Ehrenberg, Community Health Planner for the Douglas County Health Department, says the program is funded through a Chronic Disease Prevention Grant the department receives.
She says this is part of the health department’s efforts to stem the tide of people who end up with Type 2 diabetes.
Ehrenberg says the event will teach businesses why prediabetes needs to be addressed and offer them implementation suggestions and assistance.
Shelby Braun, Community Health Educator, says it’s important to get ahead of the disease.
"Today, about one in three adults have prediabetes and about 90% of these individuals don’t know they have prediabetes. And, without intervention, many people with prediabetes can go on to develop Type 2 diabetes within five years. So it’s very important to help these 90% of people who don’t know they’re prediabetic, to make them aware they are and that they can take action in enough time.”
The Prediabetes forum takes place next Tuesday at 11:30 in the UNO Community Engagement Center.
To find out if you’re at risk, there’s a test available online at DoIHavePreDiabetes.org.