Diabetes will be in the spotlight at Penrith’s OnePointHealth on November 21, following World Diabetes Day on Thursday, November 14.
The healthcare clinic will provide free diabetes screenings for the community between 10.30am and 1.30pm for the occasion.
Exercise Physiologist Alicia Whiticker said the clinic will be running screenings for blood glucose and blood pressure, providing footwear recommendations, and talking to visitors about the importance of exercise, diet, and foot health.
“Diabetes is growing massively,” Whiticker explained.
“We’re getting a lot more people diagnosed with diabetes, but we’re also getting a lot of people diagnosed that aren’t aware of the importance that these Allied Health practitioners play.”
She said the consequences of neglecting a healthy lifestyle as a diabetic is severe.
“Lots of diabetics end up with their leg amputated – that’s really the result of what can happen,” Whiticker said.
“Education’s at the forefront of what we do at OnePointHealth… educate the community, give them the right information, and give them the power to make a choice of what they do with their health.’’
There will be prizes available during the three hours of free screenings on November 21, and you can book a time by calling OnePointHealth on 4732 5188.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.