As diabetes rates continue to increase, a local health coalition hopes to provide a helpful resource and fun atmosphere for discussing how to manage the disease.

ThePurchase Area Diabetes Connection’s11th annual Diabetes Expo is set for 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, at the Lone Oak Church of Christ, 2960 Lone Oak Road,  for people battling diabetes or the families and friends of people dealing with its consequences. A group of local health centers, educators and resources make up the diabetes connection

Julie Muscarella, certified diabetes educator with the Purchase District Health Department, described the expo as an educational opportunity featuring the latest in industry products designed to help control diabetes. Members of the diabetes connection from across the Purchase Districtalsowill provide helpful information.

“There will be people from the coalition that anyone can talk to one-on-one about resources in their area,” Muscarella said. “The best way for anyone to learn about managing their diabetes is to talk with one of these diabetes educators.”

As the overall diabetes rates in the state have risen from 6.5 percent to 10 percent of the population in the past decade, the rate of diabetes in young adults has nearly tripled. This year’s expo will feature a presentation about living with Type 1 diabetes and how families can understand specific situations children might be presented with on a daily basis, as well as a presentation about staying in control of blood sugar levels.

Expo visitors also will learn about healthy meal recipes and educational opportunities throughout the upcoming year.

The diabetes connection plans to receive vital feedback from the people in attendance to better determine how the coalition can tailor its classes, programs and resources to the specific concerns of diabetics within the Purchase District.

“We want to hear back from the community on how we can help them control their diabetes,” Muscarella said.

The expo is free to the public and will feature free on-site screenings.

Call Will Pinkston, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8676.