The Public Library of Catasauqua and Hartzell’s Pharmacy will co-host the six-week Penn State Extension program Dining with Diabetes. This program offers information on lifestyle modification to help enhance the long-term health of residents in Catasauqua and surrounding communities.

Participants may choose between two program times on the following dates: Sept. 10, 17 and 24 and Oct. 1 and 8, with a follow-up session Dec. 10, at either Hartzell’s Pharmacy, 300 American St., Catasauqua, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., or at the Catasauqua library, 302 Bridge St., from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Debra Griffie, Ed.D., Penn State’s health and wellness program team leader, is the instructor for the series, where participants and their families will learn how to manage the many lifestyle challenges of diabetes. The sessions are friendly and interactive. The first session includes baseline tests: A1C (blood glucose) and blood pressure. All future sessions include informative, research-based lessons, as well as discussions on medications, meal planning and the role of exercise. Sessions conclude with Griffie demonstrating the preparation of healthy, diabetic-friendly meals that all will share.

At the follow-up session, testing will be repeated. There are helpful handouts and a walking DVD that will make the jobs of meal and exercise planning easier. A cookbook of healthy recipes is given to each participant at the follow-up class.

Penn State’s Dining with Diabetes program is a research-based series of lessons that grew out of work done in partnership with Joslin Diabetes Center at Harvard University. This program is a Penn State research study that investigates what impact community programming has on wellness and changed behavior of those individuals who participate in Dining with Diabetes. Griffie has been presenting this program at locations throughout the commonwealth.

“Diabetes is a very serious and costly disease, but research has shown that those who learn to manage their blood glucose (sugar) levels, eat healthy and exercise regularly can lower their risk of complications and lead a healthier and more productive life,” Griffie said.

Registration is required. Choose which times of the day are best for you. You may register by phone at 877-345-0691 or online at extension.psu.edu/diabetes. The fee for the six-week program is $5 per individual and $5 for your family member or friend.

Griffie and the staffs of Hartzell’s Pharmacy and the Public Library of Catasauqua encourage you to take advantage of this potentially life-changing program.