Left to right, Kathy Peterson, executive director, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Palle Thorsen, corporate vice president, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Denmark; DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos; Dr. Monet Sifford-Wilson, medical director, Novo Nordisk Inc., Princeton, N.J.; Justin Thomas, outreach for eastern North Carolina, American Diabetes Association; Clayton Mayor Jody McLeod.

DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos joined representatives of the Novo Nordisk facility, local Johnston County officials, the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on Nov. 14 to present a proclamation from Governor McCrory recognizing the date as “World Diabetes Day” in North Carolina.

At the event, Dr. Wos encouraged citizens to learn the signs and symptoms of diabetes, consult with their health provider and to get screened for diabetes if recommended. 

“Diabetes affects more than 10 percent of the adult population in our state and is our 7th leading cause of death,” said Dr. Wos. “The Department of Health and Human Services is actively working with local health departments and community partners to educate and teach people with diabetes about improving their health and managing their disease.”

The annual recognition is held each year as a way of raising public awareness to the serious and growing problem that diabetes has become. The event was held at the Novo Nordisk pharmaceutical plant in in Clayton which recently broke ground for a major expansion.