Lakeland HealthCare is offering a free program designed to help anyone with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels who is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. This program does not require a physician referral and helps area residents change their lifestyles to delay — or avoid — the onset of diabetes.

The class will be held on Thursday, April 29 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at Lakeland Community Hospital, 31 North St. Joseph Ave., Niles.

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is the biggest public health crisis of the 21st century. Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, including 5.7 million people who have not yet been diagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each year, more than 1.6 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed. In addition, another 57 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a condition that increases the risk for diabetes. Early diagnosis of the disease is critical to successful treatment in order to delay or prevent complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney disease.

Pre-registration for this free pre-diabetes class is required. For more information or to register, call (269) 683-5510 ext. 5465 or visit www.lakelandhealth. org.