Columbus Community Hospital Diabetes Conference and Health Fair Nov. 7
COLUMBUS – Texas counties face daunting diabetes rates with especially high numbers in Southeast Texas, and Columbus Community Hospital is taking steps to help the community learn more about diabetes prevention as well as diabetes management through a special event.
The Columbus Community Hospital Diabetes Conference and Health Fair, which will help residents navigate diabetes, will take place Nov. 7 at 9:30 a.m. at the Columbus Wellness Center at 107 Shult Dr. in Columbus.
The free event is open to the public and includes a healthy lunch as well as A1C screenings, which assess blood sugar levels.
“Connecting our community with free preventive screenings and valuable health education and resources is part of our mission to advance health care in Columbus,” said James Vanek, Columbus Community Hospital CEO.
The event features health and wellness experts, including:
•Stephen Pont, M.D., medical director for the Center for Public Health Policy and Practice at the Texas Department of State Health Services
•William B. Perkison, M.D., assistant professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health – Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences division.
Nutrition and fitness experts from the Columbus Wellness Center.
The Diabetes Conference and Health Fair brings diabetes health and wellness experts together to share resources, insights, and health education with participants so they can build a healthy lifestyle with diabetes and learn best practices for preventing type 2 diabetes. Topics will include diabetes management strategies, stress and sleep management, and nutrition and exercise education tailored for those living with diabetes or anyone looking to prevent type 2 diabetes.
With Colorado County and immediate surrounding counties measuring 12 percent to 15 percent of their populations with diabetes, the threat posed is sig- nificant, impacting economic ac tivity for the workforce and employers as well as the quality of life for families. Failure to maintain and control diabetes can lead to other severe outcomes, including amputation and death. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and managed through diet and healthy activities, and Columbus health professionals will help outline some of the best practices in cooking and fitness.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for prediabetes and diabetes for adults beginning at age 35 who are overweight or obese. The A1C blood test is one screening tool available to identify glucose abnormalities. More than 38 million Americans have diabetes, and an additional 97 million have prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making it one of the most common chronic adult illnesses.
Anyone interested in partici- pating can find more information and register for the conference online at ColumbusCH.com/diabetes- conference-2024.
