WSU Clark County Extension is helping address the Healthy People 2030 initiative through prediabetes screening and helping Washington residents lead healthier lives.
VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Extension educators will hold virtual consultations to help residents of southwest Washington find out if they have prediabetes on April 12-15, which will help protect their health.
Combating prediabetes is a national health priority. Clark County Extension is working to meet the US Healthy People 2030 goal of reducing the proportion of adults who do not know they have prediabetes.
“Every third adult suffers from prediabetes. More than 8 in 10 don’t even know they have it, ”said Zena Edwards, associate professor and manager of the PreventT2 Diabetes Prevention Program at Clark County Extension. “Without action, many people with prediabetes could develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years.”
People with prediabetes – an above-average level of blood sugar (sugar) – are five to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people with normal blood sugar levels. Approximately 34.2 million Americans have diabetes. Over 88 million suffer from prediabetes.
The good news is that adults with prediabetes can learn to make healthy changes that can cut their risk of type 2 diabetes in half.
“Small changes can make a big difference,” said Edwards. “But taking steps to find out your risk score and blood sugar levels is the first step.”
In-person or virtual consultations to help individuals determine the risk of prediabetes are available Monday, April 12th, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..
During the 20-minute appointment, an Extension PreventT2 Lifestyle Coach will provide a prediabetes risk score and suggestions for preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes.
Registration is required for prediabetes risk screening.
Appointments are available through Zoom or in person at WSU Extension Clark County. Masks must always be worn for personal appointments. Hands and frequently touched surfaces are disinfected between appointments and a physical distance of six feet is maintained.
Individuals who already know they have prediabetes or women who have previously been clinically diagnosed with gestational diabetes can enroll in WSU Extension’s CDC Recognized PreventT2 program.
Media contact:
- Zena Edwards, PreventT2 Diabetes Prevention Program, WSU Extension Clark County, 564-397-5700, zena_edwards@wsu.edu
