WSU Speaker to Help Raise Diabetes Awareness

OGDEN, Utah – In support of World Diabetes Day, WSU will host a discussion on “Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications,” Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms. The community is welcome to attend the free event.

“We need to shed a light on the causes of this disease and the most important methods to prevent its complications,” said Abdul Nasser Kaadan, WSU visiting international history professor. “The World Health Organization estimates that diabetes leads to 1.5 million deaths every year, making it the eighth leading cause of death. Another 2.2 million deaths worldwide were attributable to complications caused by diabetes, such as high blood glucose and cardiovascular disease.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 10.4 percent of adults in Utah have diabetes and an additional 32.7 percent have prediabetes. However, many people are unaware of their condition, which greatly increases health risks.

Kaadan, an orthopedic surgeon, also holds a Ph.D. in the history of medicine. In 2012, he was nominated for a Nobel Prize in Literature for historical studies. At Weber State, he teaches various history courses including medicine, science, Islamic civilization and the Middle East. He is a faculty member in WSU's Dumke College of Health Professions.

In 1991, the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization established Nov. 14 as World Diabetes Day to commemorate the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best and John James Rickard Macleod, discovered insulin in 1922. Additional events throughout the year encourage health lifestyles and offer diabetes screenings.

The WSU event is part of the Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions Lecture Series, which brings in leading experts to speak on current issues related to healthcare and the community.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Shaylee Stevens, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 •  shayleestevens@weber.edu

Contact:

MacKenzie Tuck, Dumke College of Health Professions administrative specialist
801-626-6946 •  mackenzietuck@weber.edu