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Dr. Richard M. Bergenstal, President-Elect for Medicine & Science at the American Diabetes Association

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IT'S RISKY BUSINESS TO IGNORE DIABETES

~ American Diabetes Alert Day urges the nearly 60 million Americans who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes to take the Diabetes Risk Test ~

March 2009

On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, the American Diabetes Association will observe the 21st Annual American Diabetes Alert Day - a one-day call to action encouraging all Americans to take the Diabetes Risk Test and find out if they are in danger of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 24 million children and adults in the U.S. It is named the "silent killer" because nearly one-fourth of those with the disease - 5.7 million - do not know they have it, and for many, diagnosis may come seven to ten years after the onset of the disease. But early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart diseases, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.

With diabetes prevalence so widespread, it's imperative that everyone be aware of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight, living a sedentary lifestyle, and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the disease. African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and people who have a family history of the disease are at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes as well.

On Diabetes Alert Day, the American Diabetes Association will "Sound the Alert" about the dangers of diabetes, and encourage everyone to take the Diabetes Risk Test which requires users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risks for pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. The test shows users whether they are at low, moderate, or high risk for diabetes.

One in five Americans is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes or may have the disease and not even know it. If left untreated, it can lead to deadly complications including heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, stroke and amputation, which is why it's so important to make them aware of their own risk.

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