Diabetes now affects nearly 24 million people in the United States.

This is an increase of more than 3 million in about two years, according to new data estimates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means nearly 8 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes.

In addition to the 24 million with diabetes, another 57 million people are estimated to have prediabetes, a condition that puts people at increased risk for diabetes. Among people with diabetes, those who do not know they have the disease decreased from 30 percent to 25 percent over a two-year period.

If you are affected by diabetes (type 1 or type 2) or may be at high risk for developing diabetes, plan to attend the upcoming Northeast Georgia Diabetes 101 to be held Sept. 12 at the Georgia Mountain Center in downtown Gainesville .

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the program will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Continental breakfast and lunch will be included.

We also encourage family members and friends to attend. The registration fee is $15; $20 after Sept. 4 (partial scholarships are available for those who qualify).

Call 888-342-2383 to register or for more information.

Diabetes 101 is sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, District 2 Public Health, Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic, Northeast Georgia Medical Center and The Longstreet Clinic.

Area physicians, nurses, diabetes educators and nutritionists will lead workshops. Each participant can choose four workshops from 18 different topics, such as healthy cooking, carbohydrate counting, successful weight loss, insurance, Medicare, preventing kidney disease and hypertension and exercises for your feet.

This year, a panel of experts also will address the issue of younger people with diabetes.

The program also will include a video presentation that celebrates "diabetes champions" by presenting personal testimonies from people newly diagnosed with diabetes and those who have lived with it for more than 50 years.

In addition to the workshops, everyone will have a chance to view the numerous exhibits during registration, breaks and lunch. Come and find out about the newest medications, glucose monitors and other products designed specifically for people with diabetes.

Program registration forms may be picked up from your local health department, hospital, doctor's office, and the Hall County Extension. Don't forget, early registration is due by Sept. 4, only $15 for more than six hours of diabetes education.

Debbie Wilburn is county extension agent in family and consumer science with the Hall County Extension. Contact: 770-535-8290.