Novo Nordisk A/S Community Care Supports Rochester Nonprofit Organizations in Fight Against Diabetes

ROCHESTER, Minn., Dec. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk announced it joined forces with two Rochester nonprofit organizations to help stem the tide of type 2 diabetes at the local level and help support programs that will educate and empower local residents to better manage their diabetes. Both organizations support the well-being of patients in the Rochester community and provide overall health-related guidance and resources through their cutting-edge programs.

• Mayo Clinic, a leader in medical care, research and education, will launch a pilot online diabetes patient education program for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients. The program, which will be available in English and Spanish, will work with certified Diabetes Educators and address a range of diabetes-related topics, including nutrition, disease-related complications and self-monitoring techniques
• Migrant Health Service Inc., an organization that serves the health needs of migrant and seasonal farm workers, will host a series of one-stop "cluster clinics," including an ophthalmologist, diabetes educator, pharmacist, dietician, dental hygienist, registered nurse and interpreter to reach migrant and seasonal farm workersand their familieswith poorly controlled type 2 diabetes

Both local organizations' programs were selected as part of the Novo Nordisk Community Care initiative, which provides funding to nonprofit organizations across the country to support educational programs that empower people living with type 2 diabetes to take control of their health and, ultimately, help prevent long-term complications. The groups were selected because their proposed programs are sustainable, impactful and educational, and took an innovative approach to addressing type 2 diabetes.

"Diabetes has become a national health crisis and is taking a major toll on local communities, including Rochester" said Diana Blankman, Senior Director, U.S. Corporate Giving and Social Impact at Novo Nordisk. "With an additional 1.4 million people in Minnesota in danger of developing diabetes by 2015, Novo Nordisk recognizes the critical role these local organizations play in addressing the health crisis and are committed to helping them address this crisis on the local level."

According to data commissioned by Novo Nordisk from the Institute of Alternative Futures, Minnesota is estimated in 2015 to have 438,300 people with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. This dramatic increase could mean a total of $4.4 billion in total medical and indirect societal costs of diabetes for the state of Minnesota by 2015.

In addition to Rochester, Novo Nordisk is awarding Community Care sponsorships to nonprofit groups in Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon where diabetes carries a heavy burden on the communities. Since the program's inception in 2011, Novo Nordisk Community Care has supported nearly 40 local diabetes nonprofit organizations in 11 local communities that are making an impact on type 2 diabetes. For more information about the program, visit www.novonordisk-us.com/communitycare.

About Novo Nordisk

Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global health care company with 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone therapy. For more information, visit novonordisk-us.comor follow US activities on Twitter at @novonordiskus.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk