According to the American Diabetes Association, as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes in 2050, and an additional 79 million Americans are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $174 billion. Further published studies suggest that when additional costs for gestational diabetes, prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes are included, the total diabetes-related costs in the U.S. could exceed $218 billion.
According to Casey Persohn, DCH Registered Dietitian and Manager of the hospital’s Diabetes Management Center, diabetes is a serious disease. “If it isn’t managed, it can damage many parts of the body, leading to heart attacks, strokes, amputation, blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage,” says Persohn. “The good news is that diabetes complications can be prevented or delayed by properly managing blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Eating healthy, being physically active and quitting smoking also can help lower the risk of diabetes complications.”
In recognition of American Diabetes Month, Daviess Community Hospital will offer free diabetes and pre-diabetes screening in the hospital lobby on Wednesday, November 21st from 9 to 10 a.m. The public is invited.
DCH is also providing information on the hospital’s Facebook page about the American Diabetes Association’s socially-focused initiative, “A Day in the Life of Diabetes”, which has been launched during American Diabetes Month to demonstrate the increasing impact diabetes has on families and communities nationwide. Using imagery, social engagement and a larger-than-life stage, light will be shown on the issue of diabetes and those who live with it each and every day. Successfully managing diabetes can be a herculean task, making what might seem like an otherwise ordinary life rather extraordinary
The public is invited to become part of the movement to Stop Diabetes® by sharing a personal image, via Facebook, representing what “A Day in the Life of Diabetes” means to them. This image can be a picture of themselves or someone they care about and will show how the disease impacts their daily life. To encourage individuals to share photos of A Day in the Life of Diabetes on Facebook, CVS/pharmacy will donate $1 to the American Diabetes Association for every photo/image uploaded, up to $25,000.
Daviess Community Hospital, Daviess County’s second largest employer, was organized in 1913 and provides a broad spectrum of quality healthcare services for people living in Daviess and surrounding counties in southwestern Indiana. A not-for-profit facility with 76 beds, Daviess Community Hospital provides a life span of health and wellness services including a modern birthing center, emergency department, general and orthopedic surgical services, and expert diagnostic lab and imaging services. Nearly 600 employees and physicians work at the hospital and in our area medical clinics, delivering skilled medical care professionally and with a personal touch, earning the hospital numerous awards for exceeding customer expectations. Learn more about our services, employees, and physicians by visiting www.dchosp.org.
Mission: Improve the health of the people who live in our communities.
Vision: To be a leader in providing quality healthcare services. | 
Casey Persohn, Registered Dietitian and Manager of the hospital's Diabetes Management Center reviews blood sugar screening results with Bernetta Buchheit at a health fair held in early 2012. |