The American Diabetes Association will celebrate its 26th annual Alert Day on March 25.
Alert Day is a one-day wake-up call, encouraging Americans to take the Diabetes Risk Test to determine whether they are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
In Oregon and Southwest Washington, nearly 345,000 people have diabetes and about one-third don’t know they have the disease, according to the American Diabetes Association.
The primary risk factors for Type 2 diabetes are being overweight, sedentary, older than 45 and having a family history of diabetes.
To take the free Diabetes Risk Test, visit www.diabetes.org/risktest or call 800-DIABETES (800-342-2383). For every test taken from March 25 to April 25, Boar’s Head Brand will donate $5 to the American Diabetes Association, up to $50,000.
Local Walgreens pharmacists also have copies of the Diabetes Risk Test.
