Piedmont Macon hosts free diabetes conference to raise awareness and promote prevention

In Bibb County, roughly 15% of adults have been diagnosed with diabetes.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Piedmont Macon is raising awareness during Diabetes Awareness Month and encouraging people to attend its first Diabetes Conference.

Diabetes educator Keri Wilbur said the event is open to anyone interested in learning more about the disease — whether managing it themselves or supporting a loved one.

The conference comes as diabetes continues to pose a major health concern in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Public Health estimates about 1 million adults in the state have diabetes. Another 230,000 are believed to have it but remain undiagnosed, and about 2 million more are considered pre-diabetic and at risk of developing the condition.

In Bibb County, roughly 15% of adults have been diagnosed.

The free conference will be held November 13 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Forest Hills Church, 1217 Forest Hill Road. Lunch will be provided, and registration is required.

The event will feature sessions led by Piedmont Macon medical professionals covering diabetes basics, medication management, nutrition, hypertension and heart health, and wound care.

Dr. Anh Hoang Le, a primary care physician with Piedmont, will lead a session focused on key questions patients should ask their doctor about diabetes management.

Organizers say the goal is to give residents practical tools to understand, prevent and manage diabetes in their daily lives.

To register, email Amanda.Greechan@piedmont.org