Recent studies have shown that people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing depression, and that adults with depression are 37 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Depression can impact a person’s ability to perform tasks, communicate, and think clearly – attributes that a person needs to operate in the workplace.

Currently, only 30 percent of people diagnosed with depression and diabetes receive adequate treatment for depression, yet treatment can alleviate debilitating symptoms in most individuals. Employers can be instrumental in assisting their employees with getting help.

In response to this issue, DiabetesAtWork.org now features continuing education materials on recognizing and dealing with diabetes and depression in the workplace.

In addition, health care professionals and health educators can earn valuable Continuing Education (CE) credits for reviewing these new pages. To learn more about diabetes and depression, and to earn CE credits, go to www.diabetesatwork.org/DiabetesResources/DiabetesandDepression.cfm.

March 25 is American Diabetes Alert Day® – a day devoted to informing the public about the seriousness of diabetes, particularly when diabetes is left undiagnosed or untreated. Encourage people in your community to talk with a health care professional to find out if they are at risk for or have diabetes. During this time, NDEP will promote the Small Steps. Big Rewards. Your GAME PLAN to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: Information for Patients as a useful resource to help people determine whether they are at risk for developing diabetes. It also can help people with pre-diabetes take steps to lose weight and lower their risk for developing type 2 diabetes while there is still time to prevent its onset.

Additionally, NDEP is promoting an updated feature article, “A Step in the Right Direction: Lose Weight & Lower Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes,” to help people at risk for diabetes and their family members make gradual lifestyle changes to lose weight safely and keep it off. With so many weight loss programs available, it is easy to become confused about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to losing weight to lower the risk for type 2 diabetes. This article highlights three small steps those at risk for type 2 diabetes can make to lose weight safely and keep it off. For more information, click here.

In April, NDEP will promote its new “Ten Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes” lists to minority print and online media during National Minority Health Month. The lists includes useful tips on making healthy food choices daily and creative ideas for becoming more physically active to lower the risk for type 2 diabetes. Target audiences include African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and American Indians.

In May, NDEP will promote a new feature article for older adults newly diagnosed with diabetes during Older Americans Month. The article will highlight small changes older adults can make to learn to manage their diabetes. For more information about diabetes in older adults, click here.

During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, NDEP will target Asian American and Pacific Islander media to promote its new 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life. Asian language adaptations through the Control Your Diabetes. For Life. campaign.

In each issue of News & Notes look for NDEP promotional tools that are ready for you to personalize, customize, and distribute.

• 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 to a feature article.
• 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.

NDEP’s feature article, “Preventing Type 2 Diabetes When You’re On-the-Go” has achieved an Honors Award in the 21st Annual International Mercury Excellence Awards. The feature article was selected among 970 entries submitted from 23 countries.

Originally promoted during July 2007, “Preventing Type 2 Diabetes When You’re On-the-Go” describes how to fit physical activity and healthy food choices into your travel plans.  With a little effort, you can stay healthy while on you’re on the road – the key is small steps that lead to big rewards.

To read this award-winning feature article, or to download it for use in your community, click here.

The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is launching the first-ever National President's Challenge, a six-week physical activity campaign to encourage Americans to get up and become more active. The challenge, which kicks off March 20, is designed to help people live healthier and be active by finding activities they really enjoy.

Many people remember the President’s Challenge as the youth fitness test they performed during physical education classes in grade school. What began in 1966 as a school-based program has now become something everyone can participate in, including people with and at high risk for diabetes. The online program allows participants to track their steps, see their progress, and challenge themselves to become healthier.

Encourage your patients, clients, colleagues, family members, and friends to take the challenge to help motivate them to get started on a physical activity! Signing up for the National President’s Challenge is easy and free. Simply go to www.presidentschallenge.org and register as an individual, or with a group to participate with others. To complete the challenge, youth ages 6 to 17 are encouraged to aim for at least 60 minutes of activity, five days a week, while adults ages 18 and older are encouraged to get at least 30 minutes of activity, five days a week.

To register, or for more information and access to tools and resources to help you promote the challenge, go to www.presidentschallenge.org.

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:

• American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
  April 8-12, 2008; Fort Worth, TX
• CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation
  May 5-8, 2008; Orlando, FL
  NDEP will also present a session here.
• American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
  May 14-18, 2008; Orlando, FL
• American College of Physicians
  May 15-17, 2008; Washington, DC
• National Association of Physicians Assistants
  May 24-29, 2008; San Antonio, TX