JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of National Diabetes Month, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) announced today that it is dedicating the month of November to raising awareness about the importance of blood sugar control and monitoring type 2 diabetes management through the A1C test, which measures a person’s average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months. A recent AACE-issued Report, titled “State of Diabetes in America,” revealed that from 2003 to 2004, approximately two out of three Americans with type 2 diabetes, analyzed in a study of more than 157,000 patients, were not in control of their blood sugar -- failing to meet AACE’s target A1C goal of 6.5% or less. In response, AACE is introducing “Take Control: Get to A1C Goal,” a nationwide challenge to encourage people with type 2 diabetes to make 2006 the start of “years of control” for people with the disease.
To participate in the “Take Control: Get to A1C Goal” challenge, AACE is encouraging all Americans with type 2 diabetes to take an “oath” to better control blood sugar levels. People with type 2 diabetes who take the online “oath” during November have the opportunity to be entered in a sweepstakes to receive a free gym membership and other great prizes. Those interested in taking the “oath,” learning more about diabetes management and receiving a free diabetes-friendly cookbook can visit www.stateofdiabetes.com or call (800) 704-4694.
“Type 2 diabetes has become an epidemic in the United States and more needs to be done to help patients manage their condition,” said Jaime A. Davidson, M.D., FACE, who chaired ACE/AACE’s recent Implementation Consensus Conference. “National Diabetes Month provides an opportunity to focus attention on raising awareness about blood sugar control and the importance of meeting target A1C levels so that people with type 2 diabetes can take better control of their health.”
Gaps in Knowledge Observed
The “State of Diabetes in America” Report provided a state-by-state ranking of blood sugar control and found that there is significant room for improvement in diabetes management. Of the people studied in every state, including the District of Columbia, the majority were not in control of their blood sugar. When A1C levels rise above 6%, the risk of diabetes-related complications such as stroke, heart attack and loss of limbs is elevated.
Despite the Report findings, the vast majority (84%) of Americans with type 2 diabetes who were polled as part of a separate national survey agree that they are doing a good job of managing their diabetes by controlling their blood sugar. The survey also revealed that while almost all (98%) people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes agree that blood sugar control is important, the majority (61%) do not know what the A1C test is. Moreover, even after being told what it is, half of all those surveyed (51%) do not know what their last A1C number was.
“More aggressive steps need to be taken to control blood sugar because of the link between high A1C levels and diabetes-related complications. In addition to diet and physical activity, patients may need to work with their physician to adjust their treatment regimen, which may include adding a medicine, or a combination of medicines that help to treat diabetes in different ways,” said Dr. Davidson.
About Type 2 Diabetes & the A1C Test
Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, may account for 90 to 95% of all diagnosed diabetes cases.
A1C is also known as hemoglobin A1C. The A1C test is typically taken in a healthcare professional’s office. It complements the daily blood sugar monitoring that people with type 2 diabetes conduct on their own. AACE recommends an A1C target level of 6.5% or less. It is important, however, that people with type 2 diabetes speak with their doctor(s) or other healthcare professional(s) about setting their own personal A1C goal. Healthy meals, regular physical activity, and if needed, medicine, alone or in combination, are the cornerstones to achieving A1C goals. When diet and exercise are not enough, one or more medications may be prescribed to help control blood sugar levels and reach A1C goals.
About the Campaign Sponsors
AACE is a professional medical organization consisting of over 5,200 practicing clinical endocrinologists devoted to furthering patient care in the field of endocrinology. AACE is committed to transforming the lives of patients by enabling one another to practice leading edge, proactive, ethical and cost effective medicine.
All members of AACE are fully licensed physicians and fully trained in endocrinology. The majority are board certified in internal medicine and subspecialty certified in adult or pediatric endocrinology. AACE members are recognized clinicians and educators, and many are affiliated with medical schools and universities. Members contribute on a regular and continuing basis to the scientific literature on endocrine diseases and conduct medical education programs on this subject.
For more information on AACE, please visit www.aace.com or www.powerofprevention.com.
“Take Control: Get to A1C Goal” Official Rules No purchase necessary to enter or win a prize. 1. HOW IT WORKS: From 12:01 AM (ET) on November 1, 2005 through 11:59 PM (ET) on November 30, 2005, you may enter the sweepstakes by accessing www.stateofdiabetes.com. Click on the “Take Control: Get to A1C Goal” icon and follow the on-screen sweepstakes entry instructions. Limit one entry per person/household/email address. 2. RANDOM DRAWING: Winners will be selected in a random drawing on or about December 7, 2005, from among all eligible entries received by D.L. Blair, Inc, an independent judging organization whose decisions are final. Winners will be notified by mail/phone. Odds of winning will depend upon the number of eligible entries received. 3. PRIZES AND APPROXIMATE PRIZE VALUE: Three (3) Grand Prizes: A one-year membership to a local gym of winner’s choice (maximum value $1,000 towards membership fee), one session with a diabetes educator/nutritionist of winner’s choice (maximum value $250 towards session fee) and a $50 credit at a local pharmacy of winner’s choice (credit is not redeemable for cash). Each Grand Prize consists of only the items specifically listed above. Total maximum value of each Grand Prize is $1,300. 4. GENERAL RULES: Sweepstakes only open to legal residents of the United States, excluding Puerto Rico, who have type 2 diabetes (also known as adult-onset diabetes) and are 18 years of age or older as of November 1, 2005. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Employees of GlaxoSmithKline, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), DL Blair, Inc., their affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. All federal, state and local income taxes are the sole responsibility of winner. Potential winner must execute required Affidavit of Eligibility/Prize Acceptance Form/Release of Liability within 10 days of written notification and return forms as directed. Noncompliance within this time period will result in disqualification and an alternate will be selected. Return of materials sent to potential winner as undeliverable will result in disqualification and an alternate will be selected. In no event will more than stated number of prizes be awarded. Winner may make no substitution or transfer of prize. Sponsors reserve the right to substitute prize of equal or greater value. Sponsors are not responsible for incomplete, lost, late, damaged, illegible or misdirected email or for any technical problems, malfunctions of any telephone lines, computer systems, servers, providers, hardware/software, lost or unavailable network connections or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission or any combination thereof. Sponsors are not responsible for any damage to any participant’s computer system/software related to or resulting from participation or downloading any materials in this promotion. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS PROMOTION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. If for any reason the promotion is canceled, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other causes outside control of Sponsors which impair or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this promotion, the Sponsors reserve the right at their sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process and to cancel, modify, terminate or suspend the sweepstakes. In the event of termination, a notice will be posted and a random drawing will be held from all eligible entries received prior to the time of termination. In the event of a dispute regarding any email entry, the entry will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at the time of entry (i.e., the person who is assigned to an email address by the organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address). Acceptance of prize constitutes permission to the Sponsors and their agencies to use winner’s name and/or likeness for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. By participating in this promotion, each participant and winner agrees that Sponsors, their partners, subsidiaries and affiliates and each of such entities’ respective officers, directors, agents and employees are not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, illness, litigation or damage that may occur from participation in the promotion or acceptance, use or misuse of prize. Winner assumes all liability for any injury or damage caused, or claimed to be caused by participation in this promotion or use or redemption of any prize. By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the judges. Correspondence relating to entry in the sweepstakes will not be answered or acknowledged. 5. Sweepstakes Sponsor: GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. 6. WINNER’S LIST: For winners’ names, visit www.stateofdiabetes.com from January 9, 2006 through February 9, 2006.
GlaxoSmithKline has provided funding and other support to AACE for the “State of Diabetes in America: Striving for Better Control” and “Take Control: Get to A1C Goal” campaigns. GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.
Data for the “State of Diabetes in America” Report were provided by Surveillance Data Inc. (SDI), the leading provider of real-time localized illness tracking and modeling data to the healthcare industry. To obtain a full copy of the Report, please contact Melissa Furrie from Cohn & Wolfe at (212) 798-9845.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
CONTACT: Sissy C. Horn, +1-904-353-7878, Ext. 122, or Sarah Bradley,+1-904-353-7878, Ext. 136, both of American Association of ClinicalEndocrinologists; Melissa Furrie, Cohn & Wolfe Healthcare, Office -+1-212-798-9845