Holy Family Hospital Offers Free Diabetes Screening
November 19, 2009
Holy Family Hospital Partners with Merrimack Valley YMCA to Offer Comprehensive Diabetes Awareness Program
Free screenings, community lectures and support group meetings for adults
Holy Family Hospital, in partnership with the Merrimack Valley YMCA, is launching a comprehensive Diabetes Awareness Program in response to the dramatic rise in diabetes locally. The program includes free screenings, follow-up community lectures, and support group meetings throughout the year.
Diabetes is among the most pressing health issues across the Merrimack Valley. Holy Family Hospital recently completed a Community Heath Needs Assessment which revealed that hospitalizations and death rates from diabetes in many communities in the Merrimack Valley far exceed the state average.
"Through screenings, better education and management tools, we hope to educate more people about this disease to help them manage it more effectively and live active, longer lives," noted hospital President and CEO Lester P. Schindel. "Our collaborative program is designed to reach more people where they live, work and play."
The latest available data show that hospitalizations related to diabetes totaled 2,303 per 100,000 people for all of Lawrence, Haverhill, Methuen, Andover, and North Andover, compared to the state's total of 1,907. Diabetes related deaths totaled 20 per 100,000 deaths in the towns overall, compared to the state's 16 deaths. Cardiovascular disease rates across the area are also higher than the state average. Other medical complications associated with diabetes include stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system disease, and amputation.
Nationally, diabetes is rapidly increasing. Approximately 23.6 million Americans - or 7.8% of the population - have diabetes. Another 57 million are believed to be pre-diabetes. All racial and ethnic populations are experiencing a sharp rise in diabetes. Both nationally and in Massachusetts, Hispanics and Asians are affected more than other racial and ethnic groups.
Diabetes Awareness Program's Free Screenings
The first free diabetes screening will be held on Tuesday, December 8 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Methuen YMCA branch, located at 129 Haverhill Street. A Spanish interpreter will be available.
- Other screenings will be planned for Methuen and Lawrence in 2010:
Diabetes Awareness Program's Free Follow-Up Community Lectures
Those testing positive for diabetes or pre-diabetes or borderline for diabetes are urged to attend free lectures at the Methuen YMCA in January. The lectures--also open to the public--consist of four, 90 minute classes on behavioral change, self-management and self-care.
Dates, times and topics are:
-- Mon. Jan. 4, 2010, 6 to 7:30 pm: "Know Your Resistance"
Learn about insulin resistance and its underlying cause.
-- Mon. Jan. 11, 2010: "Know Your Nutrition"
Learn nutrition tips for good health and managing blood sugar levels.
-- Mon. Jan. 18, 2010: "Know Your Healthy Steps"
Learn how to safely begin an exercise program.
-- Mon. Jan. 25, 2010: "Know Your Options"
Learn what you can do to stay healthy with diabetes.
Lectures in Spanish are also being planned.
To participate in the free screenings and/or follow-up community lectures, please call 1-800-488-5959, ext. 375, or register at the YMCA Welcome Desk. Registration is preferred but walk-ins are also welcome.
Diabetes Awareness Program's Free Support Group Meetings
Open to the public and those who have diabetes, this free support group will meet every other month throughout the year beginning in January, 2010. Topics will include Diabetes and Sleep Apnea, Diabetes and Exercise, Cooking with Whole Grains, "La Historia de Rosa," Medications and Diabetes, Holiday Survival Skills. Dates and locations will be announced in the weeks to come.
The Diabetes Awareness Program is a component of Holy Family Hospital's 2010 Community Benefits Initiative to address the area's most critical health issues. The Diabetes Awareness Program is supported by Holy Family Hospital-Merrimack Valley YMCA Community Health Partner Series, and a grant from Caritas Christi Health Care.
About Holy Family Hospital
Holy Family Hospital is a 271-bed, not-for-profit Catholic hospital serving some 450,000 people in 20 communities throughout the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire, including Methuen, Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, Haverhill and Salem, NH. Holy Family is fully accredited and has proudly received the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission, the world leader in evaluating the quality and safety of patient care.
About the Merrimack Valley YMCA
The Merrimack Valley YMCA is a multi-faceted not-for-profit social service organization providing health and wellness programs and services to preschoolers through senior citizens. The Merrimack Valley YMCA is comprised of three facility branches: the Lawrence Branch on Lawrence Street in Lawrence founded in 1880; the Andover/North Andover Branch on Haverhill Street in Andover built in 1975 and the Methuen Branch opened in 2003
