Diabetes is alarmingly prevalent in the Latino, predominantly Mexican community which Alivio Medical Center serves. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Mexican-Americans are almost twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with diabetes by a physician. They have higher rates of end-stage renal disease, caused by diabetes, and they are 50 percent more likely to die from diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and in recognition, Alivio hosted its annual diabetes awareness, education and resource fair on Wednesday. The event offered information and workshops on preventing diabetes complications (kidney disease, heart disease, vision problems, etc.), healthy cooking during the holidays, physical activity, and diabetic foot care. The event was spearheaded by Alivio’s diabetes control and prevention program “My Health Comes First / Mi Salud es Primero”. Mi Salud Es Primero, My Health Comes First is a peer support program integrated with primary care that focuses on patients with type 2 diabetes. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications such as kidney disease, blindness and heart disease among Alivio’s nearly 4,000 patients with diabetes. Mi Salud Es Primero, My Health Comes First will reach this goal by offering patients a comprehensive approach that includes a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians, clinical support staff, nutritionists, and peer supporters (Compañeros en Salud) to follow them throughout every phase of their care. For more information on Alivio’s ‘My Health Comes First/Mi Salud es Primero,’ call, 773-254-1400.