ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, March 22, 2005, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) will “Sound the Alert” about diabetes, a devastating disease that affects 18.2 million Americans and kills 213,000 people annually. Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States, and more than a million people develop the disease each year. Diabetes cost the country $132 billion in 2002, up from $98 billion in 1997, and, despite aggressive research efforts, there remains no cure in sight. Even with this high degree of visibility and vast scope, almost one-third of those affected by diabetes, or more than five million people, are not aware that they have the disease.
In addition, approximately 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes, which means that their blood glucose (sugar) is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified with diabetes. Without intervention, individuals with pre-diabetes are at a much higher risk for developing diabetes. The American Diabetes Association takes the opportunity of “Alert Day” to help identify the undiagnosed and those at risk by educating people about diabetes risk factors and warning signs.
Unfortunately, people with type 2 diabetes can live for years without realizing that they have the disease. While people with diabetes can exhibit noticeable symptoms, such as frequent urination, blurred vision and excessive thirst, most people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes do not show these overt warning signs at the time that they develop the disease. Often, type 2 diabetes only becomes evident when people develop one or more of its serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage and nerve damage that can lead to amputations.
“With early detection and treatment, diabetes can be managed, and its devastating complications can be prevented or delayed,” said Catherine Tibbetts, RN, MPH, CDE, President of Health Care and Education for the American Diabetes Association. “The American Diabetes Association hopes that this Alert Day will help people recognize and act on any diabetes risk factors and warning signs they might discover. For millions of Americans, their lives might depend on it.”
To help people better recognize their own risk for type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association provides a simple, seven-question pencil and paper diabetes risk test. The risk test, in English or Spanish, is available in brochure form by calling the Association toll-free at 1-800-DIABETES (1- 800-342-2383) or can be taken online at http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.
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. African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders are at an increased risk, as are women who have had babies weighing more than nine pounds at birth.
This year, to further support the goals of Diabetes Alert Day, ADA has the assistance of several national corporate and media sponsors, including Bally Total Fitness, Rite Aid Pharmacy and Discovery Health Channel.
Bally Total Fitness will be hosting “Bally HealthCheck” on Alert Day at their clubs nationwide. Members and non-members will be encouraged to visit any Bally club and make a $5 donation to ADA, where they will receive the ADA Diabetes Risk Test and, from 5-8pm, a complimentary fitness assessment test from a Bally personal trainer. Non-members will receive a free 30-day guest pass as well as 30 days of free access to Bally’s online weight management program, and members and non-members alike will be able to participate in a group exercise marathon class. In honor of Diabetes Alert Day, for any new member who joins Bally on March 22, 2005, an additional $5 donation will be made to ADA from Bally Total Fitness.
Once again this year, Rite Aid Pharmacy has agreed to distribute the Diabetes Risk Test to customers visiting any of their 3,400 stores on March 22, Diabetes Alert Day. All Rite Aid pharmacies will continue to have the test available for customers to further the Alert Day cause and to stress the importance of diabetes awareness every day of the year. Rite Aid also sponsors a page on the ADA’s Web site called “Ask the Pharmacist.” This feature allows visitors to submit questions about diabetes management and receive guidance from a Rite Aid pharmacist.
To bring even more awareness to diabetes detection and prevention, a national media sponsor, Discovery Health Channel has dedicated on-air time on their network to this cause. Discovery Health Channel will be producing three, 60-second “Daily Rounds” spots about diabetes, with the first spot airing on March 22, Alert Day.
Beyond these national initiatives, American Diabetes Alert Day operates essentially as a grassroots campaign, with awareness activities taking place in many cities across the country. For example, in observation of Alert Day, New York City’s Empire State Building will be lit up in red.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information, and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the country, providing services to hundreds of communities. To get a copy of the diabetes risk test or to get diabetes-related information (in English or Spanish), please visit http://www.diabetes.org/ or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).
American Diabetes Association
CONTACT: Kendra Gutschow of American Diabetes Association,+1-703-549-1500, ext. 2146
Web site: http://www.diabetes.org/