On Saturday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Norwegian American Hospital in partnership with The Greater Humboldt Park Community Diabetes Empowerment Center will provide free diabetes and cholesterol screenings, blood pressure readings and A1C testing for all attendees at the “Diabetes Empowerment Fair.”

“Norwegian American Hospital remains committed to supporting all efforts to improve the Humboldt Park community’s prevalence of diabetes and working with all partners to accomplish positive results in reducing and effectively treating patients who are suffering from this devastating disease,” said José R. Sánchez, president and CEO of Norwegian American Hospital.

The prevalence of diabetes in the U.S. has rapidly increased, and Chicago’s Humboldt Park and West Town neighborhoods are no exception. Data analyzed in the “Disproportionate Impact of Diabetes in a Puerto Rican Community in Chicago” report by the Sinai Urban Health Institute shows that the percentage of Puerto Ricans in this community who have diabetes is 21 percent; this number is three times higher than the U.S. rate of approximately 7 percent.

“Diabetes is a serious and silent disease affecting the greater Humboldt Park community,” said Jaime Delgado, project director for The Greater Humboldt Park Community Diabetes Empowerment Center. “By working together, we can help ourselves and help each other.” For further information on the “Diabetes Empowerment Fair” on Saturday, Nov. 5, contact Patricia Hernandez at 773-395-3000.