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News Release

Media Contacts:
Christina Chavira
Communications Specialist
530.332.5589 - office; 530.588.4411 - cell
christina.chavira@enloe.org        

Enloe offers free screenings, education for Diabetes Alert Day

Diabetes is more prevalent locally than statewide

CHICO, Calif., March 26, 2009 – For Diabetes Alert Day, a national call for action, Enloe Medical Center will provide two diabetes screenings and three 20-minute presentations at a free public event open to all ages on March 30, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event was created in response to Enloe’s Community Health Needs Assessment Survey, which revealed a higher prevalence of diabetes locally compared with the national rate.  

Throughout the Diabetes Alert Day event, attendees will be able to take a test to determine their risk for diabetes, and to have their blood sugar tested. The 20-minute presentations, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will cover:

  • Nutrition: Understanding the Glycemic Index
  • Stress Reduction
  • Diabetes IQ: Know Your Numbers

Clinical staff will be available at the event for discussion and to answer questions. Spanish-speaking assistance will be available.

In response to Enloe Medical Center’s 2007 Community Health Needs Assessment Survey, 10.6 percent of those surveyed have diabetes, compared with 7.1 percent in California and 8 percent in the United States. In the survey, which takes place every three years, 400 local residents are asked several health-related questions over the phone in order to determine local health care needs. This month’s event was created as part of Enloe’s plan to address the needs found in this survey.

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Enloe Medical Center is a local, nonprofit health care organization. For more information, please call 530/332-7300 or visit us online at http://www.enloe.org.   Enloe Medical Center is located at 1531 Esplanade Chico, Calif.  95926.