Nearly 26 million people across the nation face an everyday battle with diabetes, costing more than $200 billion in medical costs, and a local hospital hopes to educate about the disease with free screenings.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital will host a diabetes awareness and prevention day from 8-10 a.m. Saturday in the South Tower Outpatient Surgery Lobby on the second floor. Free screenings will be available to the public to help gauge the risk level for diabetes.

Screenings include a fasting blood draw (participants cannot eat or drink, except water for 12 hours prior) to check for lipid panel, estimated average glucose and blood sugar, as well as blood pressure screening, body mass index and waist circumference screenings, and carbon monoxide and derma-scan screenings.

Among the primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes are being overweight, sedentary, over the age of 45 and having a family history of diabetes. Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing just 7 percent of body weight through regular physical activity — about 30 minutes per day, five days a week — and healthy eating.

In addition to the screenings, MCCH Center for Health and Wellness staff will offer exercise demonstrations, the Calloway County Health Department will offer breastfeeding information, and the Purchase Area Diabetes Connection will offer nutrition demonstrations and information.

The public is invited to attend, and healthy refreshments will be served. No early registration is required.