Bunnell, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health in Flagler (DOH-Flagler) recognizes November 14 as World Diabetes Day and the entire month as Diabetes Awareness Month. World Diabetes Day was first created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Foundation and the World Health Organization. Diabetes is a chronic disease that can lead to serious health conditions like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-limb amputation.
“Reducing the incidence of diabetes has been a public health priority for Flagler County for several years,” said Health Administrator Robert Snyder with DOH-Flagler. “In 2019, twelve percent of Flagler residents had diabetes compared with 14 percent in 2016. This is good news, but the number of Flagler residents who are considered obese has grown from 27 to almost 29 percent over the same three-year period. This is why the diabetes education program we introduced almost three years ago is more important than ever in helping clients learn how to manage and prevent this chronic disease.”
Aside from the health department’s programs, individuals with, or at-risk of developing diabetes have strong support from the City of Palm Coast and AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation’s DiaBEATes Alliance. This coalition of community partners raises awareness about diabetes prevention, while also leading the charge locally in recognizing November as Diabetes Awareness month and November 14 as World Diabetes Day.
This year, the health department, City of Palm Coast and other Alliance members are hosting an event for World Diabetes Day, Sunday, Nov. 14 at the Palm Coast City Hall in Town Center. The health and wellness event will take place from 4 to 5PM, and will include free diabetes screenings, giveaways, and 30 minutes of group activity led by MondelloFit and Hot Yoga Lounge. Participants should come dressed to exercise and have some fun while showing support for diabetes prevention and treatment. You can register online at parksandrec.fun/events.
Through its Diabetes Education Center, the Florida Department of Health in Flagler County helps those diagnosed with diabetes lead healthier lives and helps others prevent the disease. In addition to diabetes self-management and prevention classes, free blood sugar screenings are offered weekdays from 8:30AM to 4PM. The Flagler County Health Department Diabetes Education Center is located at 206 Dr. Carter Blvd. in Bunnell. For more information call 386-313-7263 or 386-313-7264.
About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. You may also learn more at www.FloridaHealth.gov.
For information about the local health department, go to flagler.floridahealth.gov, call 386-437-7350, or visit 301 Dr. Carter Blvd. in Bunnell. You can also listen to our weekly talk radio show “Flagler Health Matters,” Saturdays at 11:30AM, airing on WNZF News Radio 94.9FM or streaming at https://www.flaglerbroadcasting.com/wnzf.
Gretchen Smith
Communications Manager & Public Information Officer
Host, “Flagler Health Matters” on WNZF News Radio 94.9FM
Florida Department of Health in Flagler
Image: unrcca
