Wegmans Helps Provide Free Diabetes Screenings

In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month in November, Wegmans Pharmacy, the YMCA of Greater Rochester and the American Diabetes Association will present three free community educational events on the chronic health condition, including screenings for blood glucose levels, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference measurement, and blood pressure.

Scheduled for Nov. 13, 15 and 17, all three events will take place in YMCAs in the greater Rochester, N.Y., area, with Wegmans pharmacists and YMCA wellness coaches available. RSVPs and health insurance information aren't required for attendance.

"An estimated one in three adults in the United States has prediabetes, yet only 11 percent know they have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," noted Kelly Mueller, director of programs for the American Diabetes Association. "Prediabetes is a potentially reversible condition; however, it often leads to type 2 diabetes if not detected and prevented. New statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 86 million people in the U.S. have prediabetes, up from 79 million people in 2010. Without weight loss and moderate physical activity, 15 percent to 30 percent of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years."

"At these screenings, if people learn that they are at risk, expert Wegmans pharmacists will be on hand to answer any questions, and individuals will have the opportunity to enroll in the Y's Diabetes Prevention Program and join the Y with no joining fee," added Laura Fasano, VP of healthy living at the YMCA of Greater Rochester.

Part of the Centers for Disease Control-led National Diabetes Prevention Program, the yearlong YMCA initiative consists of 16 one-hour weekly classroom sessions, followed by eight one-hour monthly sessions. Over the course of these sessions, a trained lifestyle coach helps participants learn how to adopt healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle changes.

Rochester-based Wegmans Food Markets operates 85 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.