MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Diabetes is a heavy burden on Oklahomans.
The state’s American Diabetes Association launched an online risk test people can take at home. The goal is to get 10,000 participants by the end of December, because early detection saves lives.
Over 400,000 people in Oklahoma have diabetes, including Geebon Gouge.
"My blood sugar was 1100 when they found out I had diabetes," Grouge said.
A normal blood sugar reading is less than 100.
Diabetes is a deadly disease. Kathy Brown, a director with the association, says Oklahoma is close to the epidemic stage.
“We are number four in the nation in deaths from diabetes," Brown said.
For those who never had a history with the disease, there is prediabetes to watch for. 1.3 million people in Oklahoma do not know they have it.
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