LITTLE ROCK (KTHV) -- More than 20 million Americans have diabetes. About 26 million have what's commonly called pre-diabetes. According to ADA spokesperson Becki Swindell, 250,000 Arkansans have diabetes.
According to the Office of Minority Health, on average, African Americans are disportionately affected by diabetes than Whites. As for Hispanics, in 2008, more than 2.5 million Hispanic adults, that's about 11 percent of the population has diabetes.
The Central Arkansas chapter of the American Diabetes Association is looking to curb those numbers, dispel any myths and educate those at high risk about the disease. They're hosting the first annual Diabetes forum at Philander Smith College, Saturday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m til noon. Registration begins at 10am. A guest speaker will talk on "Eating Healthy". Along with the guest speaker, health screenings, healthy living information, food tastings and door prizes will be available for all those who attend.
For more information on the FREE health event, call the American Diabetes Association office at 501-221-7444 *6056.