According to the American Diabetes Association, every 17 seconds someone is diagnosed with diabetes and approximately 3.7 million African-Americans live with the disease. This scary statistic is one of the reasons why Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes has teamed up with Sweet'N Lo to educate the public about the epidemic.
During November, which is Diabetes Awareness Month, Dawes and the sweetener company will host free diabetes screenings in New York and Washington, D.C. Screenings will consist of a glucose test and a questionnaire to identify symptoms and risk factors while Dawes discusses the benefits of making healthy choices.
"I am very excited to be joining forces with my favorite sugar substitute, Sweet'N Low, encouraging people to get screened and build awareness around such an important cause," said Dawes. "With a history of diabetes in my family, I am aware of the severe effects of the disease and am very pleased to assist in educating Americans about the importance of early detection and appropriate treatment." 
The New York screening took place at Bellevue Hospital on Nov. 9 and the Washington, D.C., event is scheduled for Nov. 29 at Howard University Hospital from 9 to 11 A.M. 

(Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)