Diabetes: A Deeper Look Educates Americans About This Growing Epidemic Through Hands-on Experience for All Ages
In the United States, a person is diagnosed with diabetes every 21 seconds. On December 5, 2009, the Detroit Science Center will debut its newest exhibit, Diabetes: A Deeper Look, to help answer questions that the public might have about diabetes, diabetes treatment and the role insulin plays in the body.
"Diabetes: A Deeper Look offers our visitors a unique opportunity to learn about a condition that affects nearly 24 million Americans," said Kevin F. Prihod, President & CEO, Detroit Science Center. "The Detroit Science Center is pleased to offer this educational experience, because the more you know about diabetes and available treatment options, the better equipped you are to take the right steps in achieving improved blood sugar control."
Diabetes: A Deeper Look is a 2,500 sq. ft. traveling exhibit, made possible with support from sanofi-aventis U.S., that features a collection of interactive displays built in and around a giant walk-through blood vessel. The hands-on exhibit is designed to help reach large audiences, including people living with diabetes, their friends and families, caregivers, treating healthcare providers, students and community members not yet diagnosed.
Visitors to the exhibit enter through a giant cell structure that simulates how insulin helps get glucose into cells. Inside and around the vessel, hands-on interactive exhibits and displays will explain the role of insulin; how people can be affected by diabetes; the importance of diet and exercise as the first line of defense to preventing and managing type 2 diabetes; the types of medications used to help control blood sugar levels, including insulin; and the research and discovery of medications used to help treat diabetes.