FREE TEST AVAILABLE TO FIND THOSE AT RISK OF DIABETES

On Tuesday, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) will sound an American Diabetes Alert to identify Missourians who have diabetes but don't know it.

The goal of the special alert, said Janet Stewart, a registered nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator at Southeast Missouri Hospital, is to uncover the more than 7 million Americans who are unaware they have diabetes and urge them to seek medical counsel and treatment.

A free diabetes risk test may be received by calling the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES. The written test asks users to answer seven simple questions about weight, age, lifestyle and family history -- all potential risk factors for diabetes. Individuals scoring 10 or more points are at high risk for having diabetes.