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In an age of soaring health care costs and staggering diabetes prevalence, the American Diabetes Association announced today its 2010 schedule for free community health events throughout the country – the American Diabetes Association EXPO. By attending EXPO, people will be able to join the Association’s new movement Stop DiabetesSM and learn how to live healthy, be active, and change the future of the disease.

Communities can take advantage of free health screenings, cooking demonstrations, product exhibits and presentations on diabetes prevention and management.  These events also include a Family Fun Zone with information and activities geared toward youth with diabetes and those who want to live a healthy lifestyle to prevent the disease. 

"Diabetes has a devastating effect on communities”, said Larry Hausner, CEO, American Diabetes Association.  “EXPO is one way the American Diabetes Association helps combat this disease on a community level, by providing free access to diabetes information, educational presentations and screenings for things like blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol.  Diabetes complications, such as heart disease, blindness and amputations, take a serious toll on our families and neighbors.  Its financial impact is far reaching. The resources found at EXPO can help to stop diabetes in its tracks.”

People with diabetes can take steps to better manage the disease and lower the risk of its deadly complications.  Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes is critical.  Unfortunately, many people living with diabetes do not even know they have it.

Nearly 24 million adults and children have diabetes in the United States. An additional 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes.  If current trends continue, one in three children born today in this country will face a future with diabetes. 

The 2010 schedule for the American Diabetes Association EXPO is:

• EXPO Portland (OR) - Oregon Convention Center, Saturday, February 20\
• EXPO Salt Lake City (UT) - South Towne EXPO Center, Hall 4, Saturday, February 27
• EXPO Atlanta (GA) - Georgia World Congress Center, Building B, Saturday, March 27
• EXPO Denver (CO) - Colorado Convention Center, Exhibit Hall F, Saturday, March 27
• EXPO Chicago (IL) - Navy Pier, Saturday, April 10 
• EXPO Hartford (CT) - Connecticut Expo Center, April 17
• EXPO Phoenix (AZ) - Phoenix Civic Center, April 24
• EXPO Seattle (WA) - Washington State Convention & Trade Center, Saturday, May 1
• EXPO Los Angeles (CA) - Long Beach Convention Center, Exhibit Hall A, May 15 
• EXPO San Antonio (TX) – Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center,  June 26
• EXPO Minneapolis (MN) – Minneapolis Convention Center, October 9
• EXPO Pittsburgh (PA) – David L. Lawrence Convention Center, November 6

EXPO began in 1995 in Phoenix, Arizona and has grown to 15 cities around the country. In 2009, EXPO provided free diabetes information and support to more than 85,400 individuals.

“By visiting EXPO, people can join the movement to Stop Diabetes,” commented Hausner.  “They also will be taking an active part in changing the future of diabetes by learning how to live a healthy, active lifestyle.”

For more information about diabetes or to find an EXPO in your area, call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383), or visit diabetes.org/expo.