An ounce of prevention

Ronica Shannon

Nov. 8, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The 6th annual Diabetes Day Health Fair on Saturday was all about education and prevention, according to event coordinator Kim DeCoste, of the Madison County Diabetes Coalition.

Attendance at the fair, hosted by Richmond's First Christian Church, was impressive, she said.

"We had a line of people at the door when we opened up at 9 a.m.," DeCoste said.

The fair consisted of several booths providing information and/or services for diabetics, those at risk for the disease or those wanting information about diabetes prevention and maintenance.

Aside from the fair, members of the Kidney Early Evaluation Program offered free urine and blood testing.

People with diabetes, high blood pressure or have family members with those health problems are considered to be at high risk for kidney disease, DeCoste said.

Those who had lab work done could then see a counselor to help them interpret the results.

Free foot assessments were another feature of Saturday's health fair, as were wound-care specialists. Diabetes can make wounds slow to heal, requiring special care, DeCoste said.

"People with diabetes can have nerve damage, damage to their blood vessels and they may have had damage to their blood flow," she said. "People living with diabetes should have their feet checked at least once a year for nerve health and blood flow function."

Amputations are the most preventable complication of diabetes, DeCoste said.

"There are so many people who are unaware of all of the services that are available to help people with diabetes," DeCoste said. "Diabetes and complications (that can accompany diabetes) can be prevented. The earlier we know that someone has a problem, the more likely we are to be able to prevent the potentially devastating affects."

Vendors at Saturday's health fair included: Kentucky AHEC (Area Health Education Center); Body Recall; the Diabetes Center for Excellence/Coalition; Eastern Kentucky University's SDA (Student Diabetes Association); EZ Care; the Madison County Health Department; Health Now! Clinic; Novo-Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) ; Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE:SNY) ; St. Joseph Hospital-Berea; and Total Woman.

For more information about diabetes care resources and education, call the Madison County Health Department Diabetes Center of Excellence at 623-3462.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0409-39536972