Ask Yourself: Why Get Screened?
Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and many more are undiagnosed. Adults 45 or older are at greater risk for type 2, so take a minute and get screened for diabetes. The good news is that with early detection and treatment, the serious health complications of diabetes and prediabetes can be prevented or delayed.
If you are 45 years or older, talk to your healthcare professional about getting screened for diabetes, especially if you are overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2)and have one or more of the following risk factors for type 2 diabetes:
- Family history of diabetes
- Race/ethnicity (e.g., African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, and Pacific Islanders)
- Lack of physical activity
- High blood pressure
- Having had diabetes during a pregnancy, or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds