The American Diabetes Association helped raise awareness about the disease in the Hispanic community with an event Saturday in St. Mary?s Park.

Hundreds of Bronx residents lined up to get screened for diabetes at the third annual Feria Da Salud. Some elected officials joined in to emphasize the importance of knowing one?s health status.

Organizers of the event say the kind of information gathered from the screenings is sorely needed in the Bronx. According to the organization, 12 percent of people in the Bronx have diabetes. It also says one out of every three people who live with the disease doesn?t know they have it.

The association says one in eight Latinos will develop diabetes compared to one in 20 non-Latino whites. Health educators brought their expertise to the event to share tips about diet and exercise.