Type 2 Diabetes on the Rise, Get Tested for Free

Look around your office: Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, and an estimated 6 million or so are undiagnosed.

Someone you work with could be functioning with the disease—and not even know it.

If left untreated, Type 2 diabetes can lead to blindness, heart disease, stroke, disability, and even death. And with 60% of Americans either overweight or obese, the risk for Type 2 diabetes is higher for these people, than those with a healthy BMI.

And recent studies suggest that Type 2 diabetes is on the rise.

The cost to the health system will also  grow as cases of diabetes increase: More than $336 billion may be spent annually by 2034 on diabetes-related care, according to a report in the December 2009 Diabetes Care.

Encourage employees to get tested (for free!) to see if they have the disease.

Free diabetes tests will be available at Walgreens stores in thousands of communities nationwide through February 18.

According to a Walgreens spokesperson, the pharmacy chain is in all 50 states, and almost 90% of Americans are within 30 miles of a location offering the test. Pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners will be on hand for testing.

For information, visit walgreens.com/diabetes.

In most cases, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and properly managed through diet and exercise. Studies have shown that people at high risk can avert or delay the onset of the disease by losing 5 to 7% of their body weight.

Help employees reduce their risk with the following tips:

Get moving! Moderate physical activity for 150 minutes a week will help burn calories to shed pounds. And you don’t have to run a marathon: Low impact exercise like walking will do the trick. Adding some muscle strengthening two times a week will also help maintain a healthy body weight, and increase calorie burning.

You’ve heard it before, but a healthy diet is crucial to preventing Type 2. Limit sweets and fats, monitor carbohydrates and alcohol, and consume more whole grains, vegetables, and fruit.