Want to learn more about diabetes and how to prevent it?

Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in Imperial County and death rates because of the disease are higher than the state and national average.

13.8 percent of adults in California have been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.

El Centro Regional Medical Center is trying to help by offering education classes, saying prevention is key.

“We recently submitted and got awarded recognition for our program under the American diabetes association,” said Guadalupe Heredia, Diabetes Program Coordinator.

As the program coordinator Lupe Heredia makes herself available to meet patients Monday through Thursday.

She organizes classes based on the needs of patients and has open sessions for the public too, at both Calexico and El Centro locations.

“They will be learning any skill set that they might need to deal with diabetes on a day to day basis,” explained Heredia.

The education classes are free but the diabetes program coordinator tells me that will soon change.”

“Because we received recognition under the American Diabetes Association, that provides us with the ability to bill for the service,” said Heredia.

Heredia says she does not expect to see those changes take effect for another two months, but says patients will not be turned away if they are not able to pay.

“We will see anybody, regardless if whether they have insurance or no insurance. We will still see them,” added Heredia.

ECRMC is still not sure how much it will cost once they start billing, but people will still be able to attend this Thursday’s class for free.

For more information on diabetes education and the classes offered you can visit http://www.ecrmc.org/programs-&-education/diabetes-education-program/.