Dr. Elmer Huerta, a nationally-acclaimed physician and host of the only nationally syndicated, Spanish-language radio show on health promotion and disease prevention by a Latino physician, is promoting diabetes prevention through a new Spanish-language radio public service announcement*. NDEP research has shown that among people at risk for type 2 diabetes, having a family history of the disease resonates more than other diabetes risk factors. Dr. Huerta highlights this risk factor in a 60-second radio PSA in Spanish.

NDEP will soon release “Voices,” a 60-second English-language PSA that includes a diverse group of people speaking about diabetes in their family. To download both PSAs, visit NDEP’s Campaign Tools webpage. To learn more about type 2 diabetes prevention, visit NDEP’s Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes campaign webpage.

NDEP recently revised its program brochure*, which offers a quick overview of NDEP's background, mission, and campaigns. The brochure highlights NDEP products and resources, lists Steering Committee partners, and outlines NDEP’s two campaigns - Control Your Diabetes. For Life. and Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. - as well as ways to get involved with NDEP.

The brochure is a great tool for partners to use to promote NDEP. Feel free to download* and use the brochure to promote your involvement with NDEP’s campaigns, messages, and materials. For more information, visit NDEP’s “About NDEP” webpage.

NDEP is currently promoting a new feature article entitled “Five Ways Older Adults Can Be More Physically Active”* to general and older adult print and online publications. The article explains that type 2 diabetes prevention is possible through modest weight loss and suggests simple ways older adults can be more physically active, such as by walking around the house while talking on the phone or taking a trip with friends to a zoo or park.

For more tips on preventing type 2 diabetes in older adults, read NDEP’s It’s Not Too Late to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Take Your First Step Today. tip sheet.

In February, NDEP will distribute a new feature article entitled “Five Facts About Diabetes”* authored by Griffin Rodgers, M.D., M.A.C.P., Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to general print and online publications. The article provides information to help people with diabetes better understand how to manage their disease. For more tips on staying healthy and managing diabetes, read NDEP’s Tips to Help You Stay Healthy tip sheet*.

NDEP will celebrate American Diabetes Alert Day in March, and promote its Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. campaign. NDEP will also re-release its One Call, One Click print PSAs to general audience and health care professional print publications.

In each issue of NEWS & NOTES look for NDEP promotional tools that are ready for you to personalize, customize, and distribute. For example, use our printer-ready public service announcements to make diabetes posters for upcoming events, health fairs, or your office. Or use our customizable campaign tools to promote diabetes awareness in your community:

• Take our feature articles, press releases, and public service announcements, and add your organization’s logo*.
• Add your organization’s name and mission and talk about how you and NDEP are working together.
• Add your contact information.
• Then submit the ad and/or article to your local paper.

By using our promotional tools, everybody wins. Your community newspaper receives a story with important health information for its readers, your organization receives good publicity, and you help NDEP continue to be the nation’s No. 1 resource for free information and materials on diabetes control and prevention. Each issue of NEWS & NOTES features tools that tie into the following month’s promotions and can help us promote NDEP together.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled a list of resources for people with diabetes who are affected by natural disasters. During a natural disaster, CDC emphasizes that it is important for people with diabetes to identify themselves as having the disease, to prevent dehydration by drinking water, and to always have something containing sugar close at hand in case they develop hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).

This online resource also includes advice about storing insulin, drugs and equipment, health tips such as how to keep water safe during a natural disaster, and information about health coverage and hurricane recovery.

Hurricane health and safety resources are available in English, American Sign Language, French, German, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

NDEP is hitting the road this spring! NDEP regularly exhibits at national meetings across the country. Exhibits provide an opportunity to share information and publications, promote NDEP messages and resources, and strengthen links with partner organizations. Stop by and visit NDEP at the following exhibits:

• Office of Minority Health’s Third National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health (tentatively scheduled)
  Feb 25-27, 2009; National Harbor, MD

• American College of Cardiology 58th Annual Scientific Session
  March 29-31, 2009; Orlando, FL

• American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention
  March 31-April 4, 2009; Tampa, FL

• Association of Health Care Journalists’ Health Journalism 2009
  April 16-19, 2009; Seattle, WA

• CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation 2009 Conference
  April 21-24, 2009; Long Beach, CA

• American College of Physicians’ Internal Medicine 2009
  April 23-25, 2009; Philadelphia, PA

• American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ 18th Annual Meeting
  May 13-17, 2009; Houston, TX

• American Academy of Physician Assistants 37th Annual Conference
  May 23-28, 2009; San Diego, CA