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Janklow's Diabetes Screening Project Reaches 30,000; 9% Referred to Health Care Provider for Further Testing

Pierre, South Dakota - More than 30,000 South Dakotans took advantage of free blood glucose screening at 500 sites in 200 communities as part of Gov. Bill Janklow's recent diabetes initiative. Nine percent, or 2,700, had elevated blood glucose levels and were referred on to their medical providers for further testing.

"We had a phenomenal turnout for this screening project. The results showed that the statewide screening effort was truly needed, and many thousands more citizens need to see their doctors about getting tested," Janklow said.

High blood glucose at a screening is an indicator of risk and not automatically a diagnosis of diabetes, said Doneen Hollingsworth, Secretary of Health.

"This project did a lot to increase awareness about diabetes and its risk factors. That's good public health," said Hollingsworth. "Health surveys indicate that an estimated 4.9 percent of South Dakotans have been diagnosed with diabetes. The fact that the project identified nine percent with high blood glucose indicates that it succeeded in reaching many of the people who need screening the most."

Janklow said the Health Department will have a detailed analysis of data from the screening available this summer and will post the report on its web site.

Nearly 600 partners helped sponsor screening sites and more than 1,000 people helped individually with the events. Organizers were innovative in taking the screening to the people - churches, malls, basketball games, ice cream socials, anyplace where people gather. Partners ranged from health clinics to livestock sale barns, and communities of every size participated.

Janklow praised the health care providers, businesses, community groups and other partners for their cooperative efforts in making the screening available statewide.

"Because so many partners were involved, there was at least one screening site in every single county in the state," Janklow said. "Some screenings were led by local health care providers, some by businesses or service organizations, and some by state health staff. It was a great effort that had a real impact on the health of South Dakotans."

At many sites, blood pressure checks were also offered. About one-third of people had elevated blood pressure and were referred to their medical providers.

Diabetes kills approximately 200 people a year in South Dakota. It also contributes to heart disease, stroke and other leading causes of death. It also leads to blindness, amputations, kidney failure, problems during pregnancy and a much higher risk of premature death.

For more information contact, Doneen Hollingsworth, phone: 773-3361.

Note: A complete list of partners by region is available online. Visit SD Diabetes under the link 'Contributing Partners'.