NMMC TO OFFER FREE DIABETES FAMILY EVENT

TUPELO, Miss.— North Mississippi Medical Center will offer straight talk about living and eating smart to families with diabetes or at risk of the disease with “Diabetes Dialogue: Family Matters,” a free community health event Thursday, Nov. 4.

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. at the NMMC North Education Center, 830 S. Gloster St. The centerpiece is a live satellite broadcast at 6:15 p.m. featuring Gloria Loring, award-winning singer and actress known for her role as Liz Chandler on “Days of Our Lives,” 20-year spokesperson for diabetes research and mother of a son with diabetes, and nationally recognized nutrition, obesity and diabetes expert David Katz, M.D., M.P.H.

Following the satellite broadcast, local endocrinologist Jay Dey, M.D., will speak about diabetes. Vendors also will be on hand to demonstrate diabetes-related products and answer questions. Health care professionals will offer free screenings and medication review. Refreshments will be served and door prizes awarded.

Both diabetes and obesity have now reached epidemic proportions. About 18 million Americans have some form of diabetes; 41 million have pre-diabetes. Thirty-one percent of U.S. adults and 17 percent of youngsters are considered seriously overweight. Yet, it’s estimated at least half of all cases of type 2 diabetes, which is increasingly diagnosed among children, would be eliminated if weight gain could be prevented.

This program will help families make important lifestyle changes, use good nutrition sense to eat smart, overcome obstacles to controlling weight and, in the process, decrease or slow down the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the complications associated with it.

The program, which is supported by an educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline, is free and open to the public. For more information, call the NMMC Diabetes Treatment Center at (662) 377-2500 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).

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October 15, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DEBORAH ROBERTS PUGH

(662) 377-3712

Radio Public Service Announcement

Diabetes and obesity are now a genuine crisis among all ages. To learn how to help your family eat smart and control weight, join North Mississippi Medical Center for “Diabetes Dialogue: Family Matters,” Thursday, November 4. Registration for the free program begins at 5:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Education Center, located at 830 South Gloster Street in Tupelo. The program begins at 6:15 p.m. For more information, call 1-800-THE DESK, that’s 1-800-843-3375. Join us for “Diabetes Dialogue: Family Matters,” because it does.