With November being National Diabetes Month, the University
Diabetes Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is
sponsoring a free public forum on diabetes, Monday, Nov. 10, from
7 to 9 p.m., in the College of Nursing Cooper Auditorium, 42nd
& Dewey streets. The forum will address what’s new in
diabetes care, including the new criteria for diagnosing
diabetes, medications, monitoring devices, nutrition, exercise
and the relationship between good glucose control and prevention
of complications.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or
properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar,
starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The
cause of diabetes is a mystery, although both genetics and
environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise may
play a role. Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure.
Of the estimated 95,000 people in Nebraska and 16 million
people in the United States who have diabetes, only half know
they have the disease. This year, diabetes, the fourth-leading
cause of death by disease in the United States, will take the
lives of more than 178,000 people.
Staff from the University Diabetes Center who will present the
forum include: Peg Struebing, physician assistant; Maxine
McElligott; registered dietician; and Tim Ford, exercise
physiologist.
The center, founded in 1995, is a multidiscipinary diabetes
resource that integrates patient care, education and research to
improve the treatment and management of the disease. It consists
of pediatric and adult endocrinologists, nurse diabetes
educators, an exercise physiologist, dietitians, an insulin pump
specialist, social workers, psychologists, podiatrists and a host
of affiliated specialists interested in diabetes care and
researchers interested in solving diabetes problems.
Seating at the forum is limited. Those interested in attending
should call 559-2400.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the
state. Through its commitment to research, education and patient
care, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading
centers for cancer research and treatment and solid organ
transplantation. Nearly $25 million in research grants and
contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually. In addition,
UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more
health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other
institution.
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