Tejal Somvanshi
On September 7, 2024, the Bronx hosted a life-changing event, particularly for those affected by or at risk of type 2 diabetes. The 2024 Diabetes Health Festival is more than just an event—it’s a community lifeline offering critical health screenings, educational resources, and a support network designed to battle a chronic disease that disproportionately affects Hispanic communities in the city.
Diabetes in the Bronx: A Growing Health Crisis
Let’s not sugarcoat it: diabetes is a growing problem, and the Bronx is on the frontlines of this epidemic. According to New York State data, an estimated 1.8 million adults in the state (roughly 11.4%) have been diagnosed with diabetes. In the Bronx specifically, the numbers paint an alarming picture: 13.6% of adults have diabetes, much higher than in Manhattan, where the prevalence is 7.1%.
This condition is not just about blood sugar levels—it’s tied to life-threatening complications like kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and even blindness. Helene Velazquez, one of the festival organizers, put it plainly to EL Diario: “Diabetes remains a major issue for the Bronx community. The key to successful treatment and a better quality of life is education. We are going to provide people with easy-to-understand information about health and wellness to help prevent diabetes or improve their quality of life,”. This event aims to simplify the path to better health, offering accessible knowledge and resources to a community that faces disproportionate risks.
What to Expect at the Festival
So, what exactly is happening at the Diabetes Health Festival? Picture a day full of free health screenings—think blood glucose tests, cholesterol checks, and even vision screenings. There will also be workshops focusing on healthy eating, led by nutritionists who’ll share practical advice on managing blood sugar through diet. And it’s not all lectures and leaflets; there’ll be tastings of healthy foods, allowing participants to try new, diabetes-friendly options.
For those who love music, Latin artist Luis Damon will take the stage for a live performance. This isn’t just a fun addition to the day—it’s an intentional blend of health and culture, making the event feel less like a clinical appointment and more like a community celebration.
The festival runs from 12 PM to 6 PM at Soundview Park, a family-friendly setting that offers activities for all ages. Velasquez Consulting has orchestrated this event to address a pressing need: the rising number of children and teenagers developing type 2 diabetes. Indeed, type 2 diabetes used to be something associated with older adults, but these days, it’s becoming more common among younger people, largely due to poor diets and lack of physical activity.
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The Latino Connection: Why It Matters
One fact stands out in the sea of stats: diabetes disproportionately impacts Hispanic communities. According to the American Diabetes Association, 16.9% of Hispanics in New York City have been diagnosed with diabetes. This disparity isn’t just a random coincidence; it’s the result of multiple factors, including limited access to healthcare, poor diet, and lack of preventive resources.
What’s worse, many cases of diabetes go undiagnosed—around 3.8% of adults in New York have diabetes without even knowing it. Events like this festival are vital for spreading awareness and encouraging people to take those first steps toward managing their health.
Prevention and Education: The Real Goals
At the heart of the Diabetes Health Festival is a mission to educate. As Velazquez emphasized, “We want to provide people with easy-to-understand health and wellness information to help prevent diabetes or improve their quality of life.” Workshops and panels will dive deep into the day-to-day management of diabetes, focusing on everything from the importance of regular glucose monitoring to the role of exercise in managing blood sugar.
One of the most eye-opening aspects of the festival will be the focus on children. With obesity on the rise among younger populations, it’s no surprise that type 2 diabetes is following suit. This used to be called “adult-onset diabetes,” but with 1 in 4 children in New York City now considered obese, the lines have blurred. The event will offer specific resources and activities for children and their parents, aiming to start healthy habits early.
COVID-19’s Impact on Diabetes
The festival is timely, given the intersection between diabetes and COVID-19. During the pandemic, diabetes emerged as a significant risk factor for severe illness from COVID-19. According to CDC data, ”nearly 4 out of 10 adults who died from COVID-19 also had diabetes.” The festival organizers hope to address this dual threat, providing information on how to manage diabetes in a post-pandemic world, especially for vulnerable populations like those in the Bronx.
Looking Ahead
As you walk through the festival, tasting healthy food, getting screened, and listening to expert advice, remember that this isn’t just a one-day event—it’s part of a broader movement to address and mitigate the diabetes epidemic in the Bronx. With diabetes now the fifth leading cause of death in the borough, up from eighth place just a few years ago, it’s clear that more needs to be done.
Organizations like VillageCareMax, Verizon, EmblemHealth, and Hispanic Federation are stepping up, not just sponsoring the event but also helping to create long-term solutions. Whether it’s through continued health screenings, community workshops, or even policy advocacy, the goal is simple: reduce the number of new diabetes cases and improve the quality of life for those already diagnosed.
If you’re in the Bronx this Saturday, don’t miss the chance to take part in this community-driven effort. It could be the first step toward better health—for yourself, your family, and your community.
