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Yale Sponsors Diabetes Awareness Day Event November 12

In recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month, the Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE), is organizing a community event November 12.

CARE is part of the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI), which supports and facilitates clinical and translational research and training across the Yale School of Medicine.

The event, Diabetes Awareness Day, will be held from 2-6 p.m. at the Dixwell-Yale University Community Learning Center, 101 Ashmun Street, which also is known as the Rose Center. The goal is to create awareness and enhance knowledge around diabetes prevention and management.

The program will feature an "ask the experts" panel, screenings and referrals, clinical trial recruitment information, healthy food demonstrations, and exercise ideas and activities for adults and children. There will be free raffle drawings and food and refreshments.

Diabetes, the organizers say, is a serious and costly disease that affects six percent of Connecticut's population-7.5 percent of New Haven County residents-and is the seventh leading cause of death in the state. Black and Hispanic populations are disproportionately affected and these communities are at particularly high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the organizers said. They said Type 2 diabetes is a life-threatening disease with severe consequences-blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation-but it is preventable.

"CARE is committed to building partnerships among those dedicated to improving health in New Haven," said Jeannette Ickovics, director of CARE and professor in the Yale School of Public Health. "Working together, community and university partners can bring diverse perspectives to public health challenges facing our community, like diabetes. More importantly, we can begin to work collectively to better prevent and manage illness and to promote good health for families in New Haven."

For more information, contact Alycia Santilli at 203-785-7651, or by email, alycia.santilli@yale.edu