• Public & Media Relations
• Upstate News Home
• About This Office
• Today's Calendar
• Photo Gallery
• News Archives
• Publications
• Physician's Practice
• UpstateOnline
• Upstate Health
• Freedom of Information
• Upstate Social Media
• Public Affairs & Communications Home

Upstate News

Joslin Diabetes Center to offer free diabetes screening in honor of Diabetes Alert Day March 22

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- In recognition of Diabetes Alert Day, the Joslin Diabetes Center of SUNY Upstate Medical University will offer free diabetes screening Tuesday, March 22, from 8 to 3 p.m. at its University Health Care Center office, located at 90 Presidential Plaza in Syracuse.

It is estimated that more than 5.2 million Americans have diabetes but don’t know it. Left untreated diabetes can cause a myriad of health problems, including heart disease and stroke.

Physicians across the country are diagnosing more and more children with what used be called adult onset diabetes. Now known as Type 2 diabetes, it is when the body does not produce enough insulin or the body’s cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin.

Certain groups, including African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans, are especially at risk for developing diabetes. It is estimated that just over 11 percent of all non-Hispanic blacks aged 20 years or older have diabetes.

During the screening, blood taken from one’s finger will be analyzed for blood sugar. The rating will not enable one to make a diagnosis, but it will indicate whether one is at risk and that additional testing is necessary.

To contact the Joslin Diabetes Center, call 464-5726.