Department of Health to Hold
11th Annual Diabetes Awareness Fair

Health Commissioner Julia Sheen announced today that the Bureau of Health Education’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program will offer nutritional counseling and free health screenings as part of its annual Diabetes Awareness Fair beginning this month.

The 11th annual Diabetes Awareness Fair will be held territorywide form 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, near Wendy’s Restaurant at the Sunny Isle Shopping Center on St. Croix and from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2009, during the Agriculture and Food Fair on St. Thomas

“We urge residents to come out and take advantage of free health screenings,” Sheen said. “As is customary, individuals who have not had their seasonal flu shots will also be able to do so during the Diabetes fair.”

The fair is open to all and in addition to the seasonal flu shots and nutritional counseling, residents can take advantage of the following health screenings: 

•  Blood pressure
•  Blood Sugar (Glucose)
•  Cholesterol
•  Eye exams
•  Foot exams 

Sheen said that the Health Department will partner on Saturday with the St. Croix Lion’s Club, Frederiksted Twin City Lions Club and People United for a Better Virgin Islands, Inc. to offer the free health screenings. In December, the Department will partner with the Agriculture and Food Fair to make the free health services convenience for those who attend. 

For more information, contact Sandra Charles at 773-1311, Ext. 3144.

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