The Bermuda Hospitals Board will be marking World Diabetes Day and Chronic Lung Disease Awareness day next Wednesday with a pair of free events.

Between 10am and 1pm, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will host free health screenings, along with lung function testing for smokers over the age of 40.

Debbie Barboza, BHB asthma nurse educator, said: “Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is characterised by shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

“People often do not realise they have the condition and believe it’s a sign of them ageing but if you are over 40 and smoke or used to smoke, you could have COPD.

“While it is not curable, we can teach you how to stop the disease progressing and how to manage your condition.”

Later in the day Amy Freeth, BHB locum endocrinologist, will host a free talk on the science of body weight called The Dilemma of Weight Loss.

Dr Freeth said: “I’ll explain the science of how we gain weight, and why losing and maintaining weight can be a real challenge.

“I’ll also discuss how medications, surgery, food and mindfulness practices can impact weight and overall health.

“After the talk attendees should better understand what they can do to become healthier and how their choices impact their health.”

The talk will be held from 6pm to 7pm at the Resource Centre on the ground floor of the KEMH General Wing.