Feb 27, 2005 By Rebekah Sungala 2 min read

People wanting to take part in a free diabetes forum March 11 at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus must call the Fayette State Health Center by Thursday to register. Pam Toy, diabetes nurse consultant for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, said anyone interested in learning more about diabetes is encouraged to attend the forum.

Four guest speakers will give diabetes-related presentations throughout the day. In addition, certified diabetes educators will be on hand to answer questions, as will pharmaceutical representatives.

Toy encourages people to bring their glucometers – devices that check blood-sugar levels – so that the diabetes educators can check them to make sure they are working properly.

Toy also said she encourages people to attend the presentations, especially the one given by Dr. John Ward from 9:15 to 10 a.m. The cardiologist will speak about the relationship between diabetes and cardiac disease.

People with diabetes are more susceptible to heart disease, Toy said, adding that they need to carefully monitor their cholesterol and blood pressure.

Other presentations will focus on depression and diabetes, nutrition and physical activity. There will also be a question and answer session. Lunch will be served, and door prizes will be given out.

Toy said it is important that people learn to control their diabetes.

She said Fayette County has the highest death rate due to the disease in southwestern Pennsylvania, followed closely by Greene County.

“More people die from diabetes here than in any other county,” she said.

Those interested in attending the forum must call the state health center at 724-439-7400.