Free diabetes workshop offered at Lafourche library, Louisiana - Professional Diabetes Conferences

Free diabetes workshop offered at Lafourche library
March 16, 2009
Michael F. Vinning
Daily Comet

Last year diabetes cost Louisiana more than $2 billion, according to a registered nurse at a south Lafourche hospital. It's that cost and local residents' health that sparked action by a local agency.

A free diabetes workshop is scheduled for March 24, American Diabetes Day, at the South Lafourche Branch Library, 16241 E. Main St., Cut Off.

"The number of diabetes cases are rising in our area, and people don't know anything about the disease until they find out they have it," said Christine Brandon, branch manager.

She said this event is of particular importance to Houma-Thibodaux residents because of their diet and the disease's hereditary nature.

"The 21st Annual American Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day, 'wake-up' call to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes," said Ruby LeBlanc, a registered nurse and diabetes educator for the Learning Center. "We hope to attract all ages, especially area youth, because there are so many opportunities to treat this disease when detected early, although, it's been my experience that 20- and 30-somethings don't attend these types of functions because they still think they are invincible."

Speakers will discuss diabetes and explain certain risk factors, such as diet, family history and more. Learning Center officials also will conduct risk assessments for those attending.

Approximately 10.2 percent of Louisiana residents are diagnosed with diabetes, LeBlanc said. In 2006, the total cost of diabetes to Louisiana was approximately $2.4 billion, she said. Nationwide, one in 10 health-care dollars was attributed to diabetes, according to an American Diabetes Association study.

The diabetes workshop, co-sponsored by the Learning Center, is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m. at the library. The program is free and open to the public. For information, call the library at 632-7140 or visit the Lafourche Parish Public Library Web site, www.lafourche.org/newsite.

Brandon said the library hopes to offer more workshops as the year progresses, including one on children's diabetes.

"The Learning Center at Lady of the Sea Hospital continues to plan periodic programs with the Lafourche Parish libraries to promote education and awareness on a multitude of health-related topics, LeBlanc said. "We have a women's program planned for the latter part of the summer."

For information on the American Diabetes Association, visit www.diabetes.org or Lady of the Sea Hospital's Web site at www.losgh.org.

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