DEAR ABBY: Please tell your readers about a disease that is fast approaching epidemic proportions. It is diabetes. Most Americans think this disease is controllable and not life-threatening. Unfortunately, in order to properly treat people with diabetes, they must first be diagnosed. Statistics reveal that an estimated 11.5 million Americans have diabetes, but only 6 million of them have been diagnosed and are being treated. The many other millions of Americans are walking around as virtual human time bombs. Diabetes, if left untreated, can cause blindness, stroke, heart disease and even death!
The incidence of diabetes is extremely high in minority groups such as Hispanics, blacks, Native Americans and Asian Americans. Also at risk are pregnant women and women who have given birth to babies of 9 pounds or more, people over 50, and those with a family history of diabetes.To reach the millions of Americans with undiagnosed diabetes, the American Diabetes Association is launching a public education program called, "Diabetes. Take the Test. Know the Score."
The campaign is designed to urge all adult Americans to take a simple blood test that can determine diabetes quickly and early, when it can be treated easily. It's surprising that in the health-conscious United States, people are flocking to their doctors for high blood pressure and cholesterol tests, yet few understand the need to have their blood sugar level tested as well.
Through your column and our education program, we are hoping to eliminate unnecessary health problems and even deaths caused by untreated diabetes by encouraging your readers to see their doctors. Will you help us? - SHERMAN HOLVEY, M.D., PRESIDENT, AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION
DEAR DR. HOLVEY: A resounding yes. Here's your letter. I hope it helps to alert the millions of Americans who have diabetes but are not aware of it.
Readers: See your doctors. Take the test. Know the score.
DEAR ABBY: My friend and I have a friendly wager on the solution to this question: If John and Mary are first cousins, what is the relationship of John's children to Mary, and to each other?
I say that John's children are Mary's first cousins once removed, and their children are second cousins to each other.
My friend says that John's children are second cousins to Mary, and third cousins to Mary's children.
Who is right? A steak dinner is riding on your answer. - SUSIE AT A-1
DEAR SUSIE: According to the Los Angeles Family History Center, you are correct. Your friend owes you a steak dinner.
C) 1989 Universal Press Syndicate