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There's no way around it: Many Americans today are too heavy. Chronic diseases and conditions related to weight are major concerns in our country today. A couple of these public health problems — Type 2 diabetes and obesity — go hand-in-hand, and they're reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. In nearly every developed society, diabetes is ranked among the leading causes of blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputation. It can even be fatal. Over 200,000 people die each year of diabetes-related complications. A deeper look at the statistics is even more sobering. In America alone, diabetes affects over 20 million people, and Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 percent of those individuals. What's more, many people with Type 2 diabetes don't even know that they have it. The obesity numbers aren't any brighter. Less than half of American adults are at a healthy weight, and approximately one-third of American adults are obese. The numbers are staggering and alarming. But there is good news. Although there is no cure for Type 2 diabetes, health care professionals and researchers are making strides. Experts know there is a connection between Type 2 diabetes and genetic make-up, age, and even race. They're looking at ways to prevent obesity. Knowing these cause-and-effect relationships has led experts to believe that there are ways to potentially prevent this deadly epidemic from spreading or even occurring. During this three-week Mini-Medical School, UNMC's experts will sort out what these diseases are and why they are directly related. You'll also learn who's at risk, and the new and exciting therapies that are being developed to treat these diseases that are spreading so rapidly. Tuesday, October, 16*,2007 *October 16, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. (CT) - Free health screenings at the Omaha Medical Center Campus Location Mini-Medical School — A free medical school anyone can attend
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