The YMCA of Greater Kansas City is looking forward to being able to help more people at risk of developing diabetes, thanks to a $35,000 grant from Sun Life Financial.

The funds will continue to support the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program in the greater Kansas City area. Sun Life has supported the program since it launched in Kansas City in 2014. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is shown to reduce the burden of type 2 diabetes – one of the nation’s costliest chronic diseases. 

Currently, diabetes affects nearly 29 million people; another 86 million Americans have prediabetes, yet only about 10 percent are aware of it. 

Assess Your Risk The Y encourages everyone to learn their risk by taking an assessment at YMCAControl.org and take action to prevent the disease. 

What is Prediabetes?  Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose (sugar) levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. 

Diabetes and Prediabetes are Prevalent in Missouri and Kansas  Locally, diabetes and prediabetes affect a significant amount of adults, according to statistics from the American Diabetes Association.

• In Missouri, more than a third of adults (35.6 percent, or 1.6 million people) have prediabetes. Another 12.8 percent of adults (644,124 people) have diabetes. 
• In Kansas, 35.5% of adults (749,000 people) have prediabetes, and 11.9 percent of adults (272,309 people) have diabetes.

For More Information Visit YMCAControl.org for details about upcoming classes, to take the risk assessment and learn more.