Take the One-Minute Test

Currently, 24 million people in the United States have diabetes, yet more than a third don't even know it. In Ohio, an estimated 700,000 individuals have diabetes, half of whom are unaware of it. Undiagnosed diabetes is a major health threat which can lead to serious complications such as heart and kidney disease. In the United States, it is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure and amputations.

The more people who have their blood sugar tested, the more people are discovered with undiagnosed diabetes. Each year, Central Ohio Diabetes Association screens discovers hundreds of individuals with high blood-sugar levels. Once detected, Central Ohio Diabetes Association can help these people learn to manage their condition, prevent complications and live a full, healthy life.

Central Ohio Diabetes Association offers blood-sugar screenings to help determine if a person has undetected diabetes. The screening takes just one minute and requires only a drop of blood. Anyone age 25 or more should be checked for diabetes, particularly if among high-risk groups such as certain minorities (African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Appalachians), people who are overweight or those with a family history of diabetes. In addition, the risk for diabetes increases as a person ages.

Central Ohio Diabetes Association conducts free screenings at its office, 1100 Dennison Ave., Columbus, each Tuesday (except holidays) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., no appointment is necessary. In addition, Central Ohio Diabetes Association performs screenings at a variety of locations throughout Columbus and Central Ohio each month. Please call the Central Ohio Diabetes Association office at (614) 884-4400 or 1-800-422-7946 if you have any questions or to find a screening location near you. The Central Ohio Diabetes Association screening program is made possible in part through financial assistance from Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Abbott Diabetes Care, Franklin County, the Mirolo Charitable Foundation and Cardinal Health.

Special Screenings

To better reach underserved populations in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Diabetes Association's detection program does free blood-sugar screenings at events such as the Latino Festival, Comfest and the Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest. In addition, Central Ohio Diabetes Association schedules special screenings which promotes detection and education to African-American church congregations in Columbus.

In 2001, a total of 2,374 people took "the one-minute test" at Kroger pharmacies regionally. More than 89 individuals, who were not known to have diabetes, were discovered to have high blood-sugar levels.

The Columbus Division of Fire has joined Central Ohio Diabetes Association in its fight against diabetes by providing free detection screenings. The We Care Campaign program enables residents of Columbus to have their blood sugar and blood pressure checked at any fire station, and in all emergency situations, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.