Navicent Health Calls Attention to Diabetes through Two Community Events

Diabetes, a condition affecting an estimated 29 million Americans, is a metabolic disease in which the body is unable to produce enough insulin to regulate glucose levels in the bloodstream. Many cases of diabetes go undiagnosed. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious and life-threatening conditions including blindness, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and amputation.

Diabetes Healthways, Atrium Health Navicent invites central Georgians to learn more about diabetes and ways of combatting this illness. Two events are scheduled to raise diabetes awareness within the community.

Diabetes Connection Lunch & Learn

"¢ Tuesday, February 7, 11:30 a.m.

"¢ Peyton Anderson Cancer Center, Atrium Health Navicent (800 First Street, Macon)

"¢ Kim Sinclair, RN, MSN, CDE will present "What's New in Diabetes"

"¢ Please RSVP to Diabetes Healthways at 478-633-1531 before Friday, January 27.

National Diabetes Alert Day

"¢ Tuesday, March 28

"¢ The American Diabetes Association has dedicated this day to encouraging Americans to take a Type 2 Diabetes risk test.

"¢ Visit www.diabetes.org to determine your risk for Type 2 Diabetes.

"Diabetes is one of the major health problems in our region, and is most prevalent in Peach and Bibb Counties. Our hope is these events will raise community awareness of diabetes, contributing factors and appropriate management," said Julie Deese, RN, BSN, CDE, Nurse Manager for Diabetes Healthways-Atrium Health Navicent

Those at risk for diabetes are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider about managing risk. To locate a primary care provider, please visit www.navicenthealth.org and choose "Find a Doctor." Maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and remaining active can also minimize diabetes risk.

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent was incorporated on November 17, 1994, as a nonprofit corporation whose primary purpose is to coordinate the Medical Center, Navicent Health and other affiliated entities in their mission of providing a comprehensive continuum of high quality, reasonably priced healthcare services to the region. Atrium Health Navicent has 830 beds for medical, surgical, rehabilitation and hospice purposes. The health system includes The Medical Center, Navicent Health, a nationally recognized tertiary teaching hospital; Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital, the region's only dedicated pediatric hospital; Medical Center of Peach County, Atrium Health Navicent, a rural critical access hospital; Rehabilitation Hospital, Atrium Health Navicent, the region's oldest and most experienced rehabilitation provider; Pine Pointe, Atrium Health Navicent, which provides palliative and hospice care in homes and in its facility; Carlyle Place, Atrium Health Navicent, the area's first continuing care retirement community; Navicent Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Atrium Health Navicent; as well as diagnostic and home care services. For more information, please visit www.navicenthealth.org.