In recognition of Diabetes Awareness month, the Department of Public Health in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico and other community partners are providing a free health fair “Unidos for Diabetes” this weekend.
Organizers share that Unidos for Diabetes, set for Saturday, March 27, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Consulate General of Mexico, 910 East San Antonio, is a collaborative project aimed at bringing awareness of the dangers of diabetes.
“This one-day event will provide free glucose screenings and body mass for individuals and their families with and at risk of developing diabetes,” organizers shared. “Glucose screening determines glucose levels (an indicator of diabetes) in the blood; and Type 2 Diabetes risks may be incrementally higher in those with a higher body mass index.”
Staff will also be on hand to provide diabetes prevention education, management, and early detection.
“Understanding the risk factors helps shorten the time to diagnosis and treat<” officials added.
El Paso is the sixth largest city in Texas with a prevalence of diabetes of 13.9 percent among adults—approximately 117,000 people.
According to the City/County COVID-19 data, 54 percent of the individuals in El Paso who have died due to COVID-19 had diabetes listed as an underlying health condition.
Diabetes often has no symptoms, but when symptoms do occur, they include the following:
- Excessive thirst or urination
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
Health officials strongly encourage the public to schedule and maintain preventative medical appointments to manage chronic conditions like diabetes that could worsen and become medical emergencies. Free food supplies will also be distributed during this event on a first-come, first-serve basis.
City officials say that Unidos for Diabetes is a cooperative initiative uniting the Department of Public Health, the El Paso Diabetes Association, Paso Del Norte Foundation, El Paso Children’s Hospital, Bienvivir, Project Vida, Kelly Memorial Food Pantry, El Paso Fighting Hunger Food Bank, Sun City Dieticians and UMC.
For more information on Unidos for Diabetes health fair please call (915) 532-6280 or (915) 491-6620. For more information on the services and health screenings provided by the Department of Public Health visit EPHealth.com or dial 2-1-1.
