The American Diabetes Association Kicks Off the Annual I Decide to Stop Diabetes Campaign to Reduce Health Disparities and Stop Diabetes® in Minority Communities

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During American Diabetes Month®, the American Diabetes Association (Association), is continuing its efforts to reduce health disparities and Stop Diabetes® in minority communities through the annual I Decide to Stop Diabetes campaign.

The campaign, formerly known as ID Day, is a three-week effort asking faith and community-based organizations that reach minority populations, to encourage their members to take the pledge to live a healthier lifestyle and join the ongoing fight to Stop Diabetes.

Today, nearly 30 million children and adults in the U.S. are living with diabetes and another 86 million have prediabetes, putting them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Because minority populations are disproportionately affected by diabetes, increasing awareness, and access to education are key to the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes.

"Diabetes is a growing epidemic in minority populations. Yet, type 2 diabetes can be a preventable and controllable disease," said Dr. Magon M. Saunders, MS, RDN, LD, Program Development Consultant, Division of Diabetes Translation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a member of the National Diabetes Education Program's African American Stakeholder Group and former Chair, American Diabetes Association's African American Initiatives workgroup. "During American Diabetes Month, all Americans are encouraged to join the I Decide to Stop Diabetes campaign and take steps to prevent or manage diabetes, by engaging in regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, monitoring blood sugar levels as appropriate and taking medications as prescribed. Only then, can we truly Stop Diabetes."

As part of this effort, the Association in collaboration with the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) Hispanic/Latino (H/L) stakeholder group and TuDiabetes.org, a program of the Diabetes Hands Foundation, will be conducting a free video chat on November 13 at 1:00 p.m. EST to discuss the importance of physical activity in diabetes management. The three presenters are: Dr. Magon M. Saunders, MS, RDN, LD, Program Development Consultant in the Program and Evaluation Branch of the Division of Diabetes Translation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a member of the NDEP African American Stakeholder Group; Ronny A. Bell, Ph.D., Professor with tenure of Public Health Sciences (Department of Epidemiology and Prevention) at the Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Elizabeth Ortiz de Valdez, M.D., Project Director for the CDC's Mobilizing Communities to Reduce Diabetes Program in Phoenix, Arizona and a member  of the NDEP H/L stakeholder group. To watch the live-stream video of the November 13 chat visit TuDiabetes.org.

During the I Decide to Stop Diabetes campaign, and throughout the year, the Association offers numerous resources to help people prevent and manage their diabetes. From the Living with Type 2 Diabetes Program, to Recipes for Healthy Living; and the Association's signature events, including Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes, and Tour de Cure; there are valuable programs and activities available offering support and motivation for those living with, or at risk for developing diabetes. For more information and resources, visit diabetes.org/idday.

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org.

SOURCE American Diabetes Association

Related Links

http://www.diabetes.org/