HONOKAA — If a family member has diabetes, you may too. Not knowing can greatly increase health risks.
To address this health issue, Hamakua-Kohala Health is launching a new Prevent T2 — Diabetes Prevention Program in August. The first two classes will be from 10-11 a.m. or 5:30–6:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Honokaa Clinic. The same class will be offered from 6–7 p.m. Aug. 9 in Kohala.
“We encourage residents to come in to see the doctor and take a Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment at Hamakua-Kohala Health. It’s as simple as just answering a few questions and having your blood pressure and blood sugar tested,” urged Patient Educator Jennifer Valera. “Our goal is to decrease new cases of type 2 adult onset diabetes.”
Hamakua-Kohala Health’s services include Prevent T2 pre-diabetes lifestyle management classes that teach structured lifestyle intervention, which has been successful in helping people at high risk for Type 2 Diabetes lose a moderate amount of weight and increase physical activity. This program has been shown to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent in adults and by 71 percent in those over 60, according to the Hawaii State Department of Health.
To sign up for any of the free classes, call Jennifer at 930-2746.