Senator Serrano sponsors Diabetes Workshop and Constituents Hours in the Bronx

Bronx, NY- March 27, 2009 - As part of his monthly Bronx Constituent Services Day, Senator José M. Serrano (D-Manhattan/Bronx) sponsored a Diabetes Workshop at the Highbridge Senior Center. The Senator has been extremely involved in issues related to public health, working on efforts to protect supermarkets in East Harlem and fighting diesel emissions related to the asthma epidemic.

The workshop was presented in partnership with Jacobi Medical Center and the North Bronx Healthcare Network. Seniors enjoyed an interactive presentation by Certified Nutritionist Gloria Bent that explained the connection between proper diet, exercise and use of medication in order to control the effects of diabetes.

Diabetes remains an epidemic in the Senator’s district and New York City at large. Nearly 530,000 New York City residents are currently being treated for diabetes, with a potential 265,000 more that have the disease and don’t know it, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

“Diabetes is a silent epidemic,” said Senator Serrano. “The fact there are so many people who don’t even know they are suffering from diabetes, underscores the need for regular medical checkups and other preventative measures.”

The Senator’s staff was also on hand to provide constituents assistance in regards to their issues with housing, healthcare and other services.