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Vol. 9, No. 2
Print version (PDF* 1.35MB)
A1C Levels in People with Diabetes Improve
Over 10 Years
Americans are doing a better job of keeping their blood glucose
under control according to a major study published in the January
2008 issue of Diabetes Care, a journal for health care professionals
that is published by the American Diabetes Association. The study
examined recent national trends in glycemic control among adults diagnosed
with diabetes and indicated that blood glucose control significantly
improved between 1999 and 2004.
Research Design and Methods
According to the journal article, data were examined from the National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative,
population-based survey designed to collect information on the
health and nutrition of the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population.
Results from NHANES studies are ongoing and released in two-year waves.
The study focused on the 1999-2000, 2001-2002, and the 2003-2004
NHANES waves – to utilize and examine the most recent data and trends
in glycemic control. Analysis was limited to adults aged 18 and older who
reported previously being diagnosed with diabetes by a health care professional
and who had received an A1C measurement. A1C is the principal
method for monitoring glucose control. It is a standardized blood test that
indicates the average blood glucose over the previous eight to 12 weeks. The
A1C goal for most people with diabetes is below 7.
Conclusions
Researchers found that the average A1C levels were:
- 7.82 percent from 1999 through 2000,
- 7.47 percent from 2001 through 2002, and
- 7.18 percent from 2003 through 2004.
Overall, improvements were seen among people of all ages, body weights,
educational backgrounds, and income levels. Hispanics/Latinos were the
only exception, with a higher mean A1C from 2003 through 2004 than
from 1999 through 2000.
The percentage of people with A1C levels below 7 percent rose from 36.9
percent to 56.8 percent from 1999 to 2004, while the proportion of people
with A1C levels above 9 percent fell from 21 percent to 12.4 percent.
According to the authors of the article, several factors may explain the
decrease in A1C levels in recent years:
- Clinical guidelines for diabetes care were strengthened with lower A1C
goals following publication of the Diabetes Complications and Control
Trial and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study results.
- Health care plans implemented multifaceted disease management programs
targeted to health care professionals and people with
diabetes to improve care and reduce A1C levels.
- National public health awareness campaigns like the National Diabetes
Education Program were developed to emphasize improving glycemic
and cardiovascular risk factor control among people with diabetes and
their families.
- Reporting and measuring of diabetes care in health plans has improved.
- Diabetes drugs like metformin were developed to help people
with diabetes manage their A1C levels.
- Diabetes education and/or fewer medication side effects helped people
with diabetes adhere to therapy.
- Medicare increased coverage for diabetes-related supplies during this period.
The findings of this study are encouraging for the long-term outcomes
of people with diabetes. However, many individuals are still not meeting
their optimal control targets and A1C levels, and rates are particularly high
in some demographic groups. Therefore, additional efforts are necessary to
ensure continued improvement in A1C levels of people with diabetes in the
future, and NDEP will remain committed to promoting effective team care
and self-management among people with diabetes through its campaigns,
messages, and resources.
A Message from Our Chair: Partnerships to Help People with Diabetes
As I come to the close of my tenure as chair of
the National Diabetes Education Program
(NDEP) or, as I prefer, the National Diabetes Education
Partnership, I wanted to offer a few reflections on
some of NDEP’s accomplishments and challenges:
- NDEP’s accomplishments are too numerous to
review fully here. Clearly from the inception of NDEP through our first decade, we worked together to increase awareness
of the seriousness of diabetes among the general public and we
have seen this awareness increase from 8 percent in 1997 to 89 percent
in 2006. Factors contributing to this success include our programs and
materials, strong media outreach and public service campaigns, a
commitment to reach the entire team of health care professionals, and
an unwavering focus on reaching the diverse audiences affected by
diabetes with culturally appropriate messages and materials.
- NDEP has committed in its current strategic plan to identify and share
more information about how to make lifestyle changes. Our current
effort to identify and share lifestyle change tools for people with diabetes,
those at risk, and their health care team is a critically important step
as we build on our achievement in diabetes awareness and work to turn
awareness into changes in health outcomes.
- One example of the educational challenges that we will encounter in
the future is the measure of glucose. Having worked hard to define and
establish A1C as the measure of glucose control, plans are now underway
to introduce the additional measure of estimated average glucose
(eAG). eAG offers new opportunities to help our patients better understand
the dimensions of glycemic control, but also poses new educational
challenges for both patients and their health care professionals.
- NDEP will also seek a greater understanding of the implications of the
results of the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes trial (ACCORD), Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease trial (ADVANCE),
and Veteran Affairs Diabetes trial (VADT) for patient care. In these
studies, attempts to achieve near normal A1C levels were not associated
with decreased cardiovascular risk compared to more usual care.
Moreover, in the ACCORD trial, intensive blood glucose control (A1C
goal of less than 6 percent) in patients with longstanding diabetes and
known cardiovascular disease (CVD ) or with multiple CVD risk factors
was associated with increased mortality compared to currently recommended
therapy. NDEP must emphasize that these results should not
be interpreted to decrease the importance of glycemic control. Most
patients should continue to strive to achieve an A1C goal of less than 7
percent; however, glycemic targets should be individualized as appropriate
based on life expectancy, advanced complications, hypoglycemia,
comorbidities, etc. As previously shown in the DCCT, Kumamoto,
and UKPDS studies, the ADV ANCE trial showed that intensive blood
glucose control lowered the risk of new or worsening microvascular
complications, particularly kidney disease.
- Another challenge is the clear need for NDEP to make primary diabetes
prevention work. As the obesity problem grows in our nation, so will the
prevalence of type 2 diabetes. As we see more instances of diagnosed
type 2 diabetes in teens and people in their 20s, we can only imagine
the impact of diabetes complications occurring at an earlier age. A key
goal of the NDEP partnership, bringing life to the lessons of the Diabetes
Prevention Program, is a challenge for which we must find solutions.
Let me conclude with some additional thoughts. First, patients are
responsible for the vast majority of their diabetes care or, as my friend Marti
Funnell characterizes it, a patient is 98 percent responsible for his or her
health outcomes. Our patients know that diabetes is serious, and they are
looking to NDEP to translate the most recent research findings, to explain
eAG, and to help them understand their health care goals. The actions
required—adhering to lifestyle measures and medication regimens, and
performing self blood glucose monitoring, etc.—remain the responsibility
of the individual. However, according to the findings of NDEP’s 2006 “Survey of Public Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices Related to Diabetes,” the
health care team needs to do more to empower patients and to provide them
with assistance in their efforts to make this all work. That is one reason I am
excited about NDEP’s new strategic plan and its partnership commitment to
find and share “how to” information and tools.
What about people at risk? NDEP also has a responsibility to identify and
share practical action steps to help this group understand their risk for type 2
diabetes and make lifestyle changes to reduce it.
Finally, I am reminded of the extraordinary role that each of you play in our
NDEP partnership. The leadership of Ann Albright, Judy Fradkin, and their
respective teams at CDC and NIH has been critical to our success. Charlie
Clark, NDEP’s first chair, built this extraordinary partnership. Jim Gavin, immediate
past chair, helped move NDEP from program and product development
to action. Fran Kaufman, NDEP chair-elect, will be charged with bringing our
commitment to behavior change and primary prevention to life.
However, the majority of the responsibility for the success of the NDEP
partnership comes from you—our partners:
- Steering Committee members, work group chairs, work group members;
- State Diabetes Prevention and Control Program leaders and staff;
- Individual efforts such as those who have verified translations, helped
field test NDEP materials such as tip sheets and brochures, pilot tested
the Power to Prevent: A Family Lifestyle Approach to Diabetes Prevention
curriculum and the Road to Health/El camino hacia la buena salud toolkit,
and volunteers who have written articles on our behalf for School Nurse
News and National Association of School Nurses Newsletter;
- Experts now carefully writing NDEP’s Team Care: Comprehensive Lifetime
Management for Diabetes, Guiding Principles for Diabetes Care, and other
NDEP publications and websites;
- Staff and volunteers at partner organizations who ensure that NDEP’s
campaigns, messages, and materials appear in their newsletters, journals,
and on their websites so we can reach all diabetes communities; and
- Numerous individuals who have served in many other roles.
Those associated with the National Diabetes Education Partnership
should take pride in its accomplishments. I feel privileged to have been
engaged, in some role, since the program’s inception in 1997. As I transition
into my role as immediate past chair in October, I pledge my continued
support and participation in the NDEP partnership effort to change the way
diabetes is treated.
Lawrence Blonde, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E.
Chair, National Diabetes Education Program
Diabetes Toll Reaches Devastating $174 Billion in 2008
In January 2008, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) announced
that the rising economic costs associated with diabetes have reached
unprecedented levels. Diabetes now costs Americans $174 billion
annually—a 32-percent increase since 2002, according to an ADA-commissioned
study. Considering that an additional 6 million more people
are believed to be undiagnosed, the study estimates that the actual cost of
diabetes may greatly exceed $174 billion. During a congressional briefing
on Capitol Hill, members of ADA, leaders from the Congressional Diabetes
Caucus, and diabetes experts discussed the economic impact of this new
study data.
The study revealed that the direct medical expenditures of care for people
with diabetes are estimated to be $116 billion, with a disproportionate percentage
of the costs resulting from treatment and hospitalization of people
with diabetes-related complications. The findings also suggest that one out
of every five health care dollars is spent caring for someone with diagnosed
diabetes.
“The findings re-affirm that diabetes is a public health crisis and its
implications are painful and far reaching,” said Ann Albright, Ph.D., R.D.,
President, Health Care and Education, ADA and member of NDEP’s
Executive Committee. “This underscores the importance of early diagnosis
and treatment. Diabetes becomes much more costly in financial and human
terms when the disease is not properly treated.”
The study also revealed the economic impact of indirect costs. When
accounting for reduced productivity of both those in the labor force
and unpaid workers, unemployment from disease-related disability, and
increased absenteeism, indirect costs were estimated to be $58 billion.
NDEP encourages you to include this updated data in presentations and
materials when promoting diabetes control and prevention. These figures
show the tremendous cost of diabetes in the United States and underscore
the importance of continued diabetes education in all of our communities.
To learn more about the cost of diabetes in your state, check out ADA’s
Diabetes Cost Calculator at www.diabetes.org/cost. To find out how much
diabetes is costing your company, visit NDEP’s DiabetesAtWork website at
www.DiabetesAtWork.org
NDEP Leadership News
NDEP is pleased to announce that Jeffrey
B. Caballero, M.P.H., executive director
of the Association of Asian Pacific Community
Health Organizations (AAPCHO) has volunteered
to begin a second three-year term as chair
of NDEP’s Operations Committee (OC). The
OC allows NDEP work group chairs to come
together to address cross-cutting issues and plan
ways to integrate program messages into work
group activities. In the past, Mr. Caballero has
served as chair of the Asian American and
Pacific Islander Work Group. He also represents
AAPCHO on the NDEP Steering Committee.
NDEP is also proud to announce the appointment
of new work group leadership for the Older
Adult Work Group (OAWG). Linda Haas,
Ph.C., R.N., C.D.E., who recently completed a
term as OAWG vice chair, represents the Department
of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound HCS, Seattle
Division, and is the new work group chair. Sandra
Burke, Ph.D, R.N., A.N.P., C.D.E. represents
the American Association of Diabetes Educators
and is the new vice chair. The OAWG is responsible for a variety of
NDEP materials, including the It’s Not Too Late to Prevent Diabetes.
Take Your First Step Today. tip sheet and The Power to Control Diabetes
Is in Your Hands brochures and community outreach materials.
Mr. Caballero
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Ms. Hass
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Dr. Burke
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Promote, Promote, Promote
Inquiring Minds Want to Know…About Diabetes
After findings from market research proved that many of its readers
had been diagnosed with diabetes, the National Inquirer ran NDEP’s“Superhero” and “Important Numbers” print public service announcements
in three issues in November and December of 2007. For three
consecutive weeks, these placements reached more than 3.3 million
people with NDEP’s messages of comprehensive diabetes management.
2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet
Number of Americans with Diabetes Continues to Increase
Nearly 24 million Americans—almost 8 percent of the population—are now living with diabetes, according to the 2007 National
Diabetes Fact Sheet, which was released in late June. The 24 million
Americans include nearly 6 million people who are undiagnosed. An
additional 57 million Americans aged 20 and older have pre-diabetes,
a condition that increases a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes,
heart disease, and stroke. The fact sheet also indicates that the prevalence
of diabetes in ethnic minority populations continues to rise, heightening
concerns about health disparities among these populations. Compared
to non-Hispanic whites, diabetes continues to be more prevalent among
African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, Alaska Natives,
Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders.
The new fact sheet includes an updated section on treating diabetes for
health care professionals and diabetes educators, which emphasizes that
people with diabetes can lower their risk for developing serious complications
by controlling blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids.
Self-management education or training is highlighted as a key step in
improving health outcomes and quality of life for people with diabetes.
This section indicates that many people with type 2 diabetes can control
their blood glucose by following a healthy meal plan and physical activity program, losing excess weight, and taking medications if necessary. Some people
may need insulin for controlling their blood glucose. Many people with diabetes
also need to take medications to control their cholesterol and blood pressure.
Another addition to the new fact sheet includes prevalence rates for pre-diabetes
by race. For example, among adults aged 20 and older, more than 21 percent
of African Americans, more than 25 percent of non-Hispanic whites, and more
than 26 percent of Mexican Americans have pre-diabetes. Regarding diagnosed
diabetes, the fact sheet also includes a new number for the prevalence of diabetes
among Asian Americans aged 20 or older—nearly 8 percent. Additionally,
among adults, diabetes increased in both men and women and in all age groups.
However, diabetes still disproportionately affects the elderly. In 2007, almost 25
percent of the population aged 60 years and older had diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious, common, and costly, yet controllable and preventable
disease. NDEP has free resources on diabetes control and prevention for people
with diabetes and their families, those at risk, and health care professionals.
Materials are available in 15 Asian and Pacific Islander languages and Spanish. To
download or order free materials, visit NDEP’s website, www.YourDiabetesInfo.org, or call 1-888-693-NDEP (6337). Together, we can change the way diabetes
is treated.
To download the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, visit www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics.
A Job Well Done
- The American Pharmacists Association Foundation recently selected
NDEP as the recipient of its 2008 Pinnacle Award in the category
of Voluntary Health Agencies, Non-profit Organizations, Associations,
Government Agencies, and Public/Private Partnerships for its role in
assisting patients and their caregivers in achieving better outcomes from
their medications. NDEP was honored with the Pinnacle Award during
a June ceremony at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C. Accepting
the award was NDEP’s chair, Lawrence Blonde, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E.
Also in attendance were local NDEP work group leadership and Francine
Kaufman, M.D. and Judith Fradkin, M.D., both members of NDEP’s
Executive Committee.
- Several NDEP materials received recognition from the 2008 National
Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Plain Language Awards. Consejos para ayudar
a una persona con diabetes (Tips for Helping a Person with Diabetes)
and 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life. received Silver Awards.
Also, It’s Not Too Late to Prevent Diabetes. Take Your First Step Today.
received a Bronze Award. NIH’s Plain Language Awards recognize the use
of simple, easy-to-read language in government-authored documents. NDEP’s feature article, “Preventing Type 2 Diabetes When You’re
On-the-Go” has earned an Honors Award from the 21st Annual International
Mercury Excellence Awards. This feature article was selected
among 970 entries submitted from 23 countries. To download the feature
article, visit NDEP’s “Campaign Tools” webpage at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org/campaigns/tools.htm.
- David Marrero, Ph.D., a member of NDEP’s Evaluation Work Group and
Health Care Professional Work Group, is the recipient of the American
Diabetes Association’s 2008 Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award.
This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates significant contributions
to the understanding of diabetes education, has spent many years
of effort in the field, and has benefited recipients of education. Dr. Marrero
is recognized for assisting in the design of the Diabetes Prevention Program
and the Translating Research into Action for Diabetes study. His research
interests include strategies for promoting diabetes prevention, care settings,
improving diabetes care practices used by primary care providers, and the
use of technology to facilitate care and education.
- NDEP-NIH Director Joanne Gallivan, M.S., R.D., is the 2008 recipient
of the American Dietetic Association’s Excellence in Community
Dietetics Award after being nominated by the organization’s Diabetes Care
and Education Dietetic Practice Group. The American Dietetic Association
has over 65,000 members, and each year only one recipient in the category
of Community Dietetics is chosen. This award is presented to registered
dietitians or dietetic technicians who have demonstrated innovation, creativity,
leadership, and significant contributions to the advancement of
practice and leadership achievements in nutrition-related organizations.
Ms. Gallivan will receive this award during a session entitled, “The Diabetes
Pandemic: The Role of the Dietitian,” at the organization’s 2008 Food &
Nutrition Conference & Expo on October 27 at 3 p.m. in Chicago.
- As reported in a previous issue of NDEP Update, John Riley, other students,
and school personnel from Davenport High School in Oklahoma
adapted NDEP’s Move It! And Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes School Kit to
start a diabetes prevention program in their school. John was instrumental
in partnering with community organizations, helping to build a walking/running track, starting a Move It! Exercise Club, and hosting a Pre-Diabetes
Extravaganza in his community. NDEP is pleased to report that John is a
2008 recipient of the Gates Millennium Scholarship (GMS), developed
by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Out of 13,000 applications
nationwide, 1,000 scholarships were awarded, and only 150 scholarships
were awarded to American Indian and Alaska Native students. GMS funds
will cover John’s college education at the institution of his choice at the
bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels as long as he remains in an education-related field. This fall, John will attend Oklahoma City University
where he plans to double major in journalism and English.
Congratulations to all from NDEP!
Spreading the Word
NDEP Partners at Work
Because our partners play such a key role in our mission to promote, promote, promote – they also play a key role in our ability to
measure how we’re doing. That’s why the NDEP Partner Activities Survey, sent every spring and fall via email, is so important.
NDEP would like to thank all the partners who participated in the spring 2008 edition of the survey. Here are just a few of the ways that our partners are working to change the way diabetes is treated. Feel free to contact the partners below for more information on modeling these programs and initiatives.
Work Group Members
- Nia Aitaoto, M.P.H. of NDEP’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Work
Group used NDEP materials to promote diabetes awareness, control, and
prevention messages during the Hokulea voyage, a five-month tour that
sailed from Hawaii to Palau, and reached thousands of Hawaiian school
children through educational programs to expand the vision of global
kinship and encourage cultural heritage and stewardship.
- Martha Funnell, M.S., R.N., C.D.E. of NDEP’s Health Care Professional
Work Group promoted the BetterDiabetesCare website as a resource
for health care professionals during a conference attended by 100 primary
care physicians and registered nurses. She also promoted the BetterDiabetesCare website in the Michigan Organization of Diabetes
Educators’ newsletter.
- Gladys Gary-Vaughn, Ph.D. of NDEP’s African American/African
Ancestry Work Group distributed the More than 50 Ways to Prevent Type
2 Diabetes tip sheet to staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- JoAnn Gurenlian, R.D.H., Ph.D. of NDEP’s Pharmacy, Podiatry, Optometry& Dentistry Work Group co-presented during two national dental meetings
and highlighted NDEP prevention and control messages and materials.
- Marilee Kadar of NDEP’s Older Adult Work Group designed a full-page
public service advertisement in Lions Club International’s magazine, The
Lion, to promote diabetes awareness and NDEP’s free resources for
older adults.
- Kelly Moore, M.D. of NDEP’s American Indian & Alaska Native Work Group
gave a presentation highlighting NDEP’s Move It! And Reduce Your Risk of
Diabetes School Kit during the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating
Council and American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions.
- Janet Silverstein, M.D. of NDEP’s Diabetes in Children & Adolescents
Work Group partnered with the American Diabetes Association to conduct
workshops for school nurses and other health care professionals in
Orlando, Fla. and New York City to promote NDEP’s Helping the Student
with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel.
- Pamella Thomas, M.D., M.P.H. of NDEP’s Business Health Strategies
Work Group partnered with the Dekalb County Health Department to
conduct a DiabetesAtWork workshop with 32 corporations representing
more than 30,000 employees.
- Virginia Valadez of NDEP’s Hispanic/Latino Work Group partnered
with promotoras to promote NDEP materials during health fairs, school
events, and community presentations. Also, NDEP’s online Recipe and
Meal Planner Guide was promoted in local restaurants and recipes like
arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) were added to their menus. Customers
who tried NDEP’s recipes were given a free copy of the Meal Planner.
Diabetes Prevention and Control Programs (DPCPs)
- The Alabama DPCP updated their website to include an audio/video
component to showcase NDEP’s Movimiento por su vida and Step by
Step: Moving Toward Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes CD/DVD s.
- The Delaware DPCP ran more than 3,000 television public service advertisements
(PSAs) on local stations in English and Spanish from January
through June 2007 promoting NDEP’s free resources.
- The Illinois DPCP aired NDEP television PSAs on local stations and
reached approximately 1 million viewers.
- The Kentucky DPCP collaborated with other Department of Public Health
chronic disease programs to develop a 16-page insert targeting youth at
risk for diabetes. The insert included NDEP’s Tips for Teens: Lower Your Risk
for Type 2 Diabetes tip sheet and was published in a local newspaper.
- The Maine DPCP promoted NDEP’s prevention and control messages
during Legislative Wellness Day at the capital. During the event, NDEP
materials provided a focal point for one-on-one discussions with legislators
on the importance of diabetes control and prevention.
- The Texas DPCP partnered with the American Association of Clinical
Endocrinologists to present a continuing education event for more than
100 health care professionals. Attendees received an NDEP materials
order form and a toolkit containing NDEP resources.
- The Virginia DPCP partnered with the Virginia Pharmacy Association
to distribute NDEP’s materials for pharmacists during their statewide
meeting. As a result of this partnership, pharmacies continue to request
additional NDEP resources.
- The Washington DPCP partnered with the Eastern Washington Diabetes
Network to coordinate diabetes awareness weeks, staff a local television
station’s call-in lines, and assist with diabetes screenings at local
pharmacies. During this promotion, more than 600 NDEP PSAs were
aired. Additionally, the Spokane NBC affiliate, KHQ-TV , linked to NDEP’s
website and experienced an increase of more than 4,000 site visitors to
their website.
National Outreach Organizations
- The Black Women’s Health Imperative adapted NDEP’s Power to
Prevent: A Family Lifestyle Approach to Diabetes Prevention curriculum
to meet the unique diabetes education needs of African American
women. NDEP’s Small Steps. Big Rewards. Your GAME PLAN to Prevent
Type 2 Diabetes physical activity tracker and fat and calorie counter were
included as part of the curriculum.
- The National Alliance for Hispanic Health promoted NDEP through their
toll-free helpline, “Su Familia,” to bilingual callers with questions about diabetes prevention and control and through conferences, meetings, and
health fairs.
- The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) adapted NDEP’s Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel
to meet the needs of practicing school nurses in two NASN grant affiliate
sites.
- The National Latina Health Network developed and distributed an online
banner promoting NDEP via a Hispanic news listserv. The banner was
highlighted on the website for one year in the Calendar of Events and
Health sections.
- The National Medical Association (NMA) reprinted and disseminated
NDEP materials to six coalitions in Atlanta, Houston, Indianapolis, Los
Angeles, Pine Bluff, and Washington, D.C. during NMA’s regional meetings.
- Papa Ola Lokahi forged partnerships with the Pacific Region Tobacco
Coalition, the Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands, and the Maternal
Child Health Program to promote NDEP campaigns, messages, and
materials.
Partner Spotlight
American Association of Indian Physicians
Promotes NDEP’s Campaigns and Resources
in Annual Newsletter
NDEP applauds the American Association of Indian
Physicians (AAIP) for promoting its campaigns, messages,
and materials in the winter 2008 issue of Legacy,
their annual member newsletter. Here are some of the ways
AAIP mentioned NDEP in their newsletter:
- A letter commending NDEP’s Move It! And Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes
School Kit was included from a Move It! coordinator at the Menominee
Tribal School in Neopit, Wis.
- Two diabetes education programs—“Dance Away Diabetes” and “Working
Together for Balance”—were recognized by AAIP as Outstanding Model
Diabetes Programs based on criteria such as the program’s use and dissemination
of NDEP’s materials.
- A transcript from the October 2007 National Institutes of Health podcast
featuring Francine Kaufman, M.D., chair-elect of NDEP and head of the
Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism at Children’s Hospital
Los Angeles, regarding type 2 diabetes and children was included. During
the podcast, NDEP was mentioned as a resource.
- A feature article entitled, “The Good News About Pre-Diabetes” promoted
NDEP’s Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. campaign and
messages. In addition, NDEP’s Your GAME PLAN to Prevent Type 2
Diabetes: Information for Patients was highlighted as an essential, effective
tool for helping people with diabetes make small lifestyle changes to prevent
or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- NDEP’s The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands Community
Outreach Kit for older adults and Your GAME PLAN to Prevent Type 2
Diabetes: Health Care Provider Toolkit were highlighted as NDEP resources
that will be updated and re-launched in 2008.
- AAIP members were encouraged to use NDEP’s new billboard campaign
to personalize their own diabetes prevention efforts in their communities.
The billboards are based on NDEP’s prevention messages for American
Indians and Alaska Natives and can be customized by adding local contact
information, logos, and images.
American Dietetic Association Teleseminar
Promotes NDEP to Food & Nutrition
Professionals
In April 2008, NDEP partnered with
the American Dietetic Association for
an hour-long teleseminar for food and
nutrition professionals who do not specialize in diabetes but often see
patients who have the disease. Topics of the teleseminar included a discussion
of the diabetes epidemic in the United States, current treatment
recommendations, and NDEP’s vast array of free resources available to
people with diabetes, those at risk, and health care professionals. During
the teleseminar, NDEP chair Lawrence Blonde, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E.
and NDEP-NIH Director Joanne Gallivan, M.S., R.D. presented to
nearly 600 food and nutrition professionals at 17 sites across the country.
Dr. Blonde discussed the scope of the current diabetes problem, challenges
to achieving recommended goals, the latest recommendations for
achieving target therapeutic goals, current and new medications to help
people with diabetes reach their target goals, and the importance of early
diagnosis and aggressive treatment strategies.
Ms. Gallivan highlighted NDEP’s free resources available to health
care professionals, people with diabetes, and those at risk for the disease
through the Control Your Diabetes. For Life. and Small Steps. Big Rewards.
Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. campaigns and resources. To provide examples
of how NDEP adapts materials and resources for various audiences, Ms.
Gallivan highlighted NDEP’s in-language materials for Asian Americans,
Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics/Latinos and ethnic-specific resources for
African Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives. She also promoted
NDEP’s tip sheets for women who have had gestational diabetes
and older adults.
As the teleseminar concluded, participants were reminded that early
diagnosis, diabetes education, and a solid team care approach can significantly
improve outcomes for people with diabetes – and that NDEP has
free diabetes resources needed to assist food and nutrition professionals
in this process.
New and Noteworthy
Plans to Redesign NDEP Website Underway
NDEP is currently revising its website, www.YourDiabetesInfo.org.
We’re optimizing, updating, improving, and simplifying our features
and webpages to make the site user-friendly and easy-to-navigate. Here’s a
sneak peak of some of the new features we’re working on:
- New Partners Section on the Homepage will help you quickly find
diabetes education resources and information about NDEP.
- Printer-Friendly Webpages will make printing a breeze.
- New Search Categories such as publication title and audience will give
you more ways to find the information you need.
Stay tuned for more information regarding NDEP’s updated website in
News & Notes, our monthly e-newsletter.
Diabetes and Depression Continuing Education
Opportunity Available on DiabetesAtWork
Website
Recent studies show that people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing
depression. In fact, adults who are depressed 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 both depression and diabetes receive adequate treatment,
which can alleviate debilitating symptoms in most individuals.
Employers can play a key role in assisting their employees with seeking
appropriate help. To address this issue, NDEP’s DiabetesAtWork website
now features continuing education materials for health care professionals
and health educators on recognizing and dealing with diabetes and depression
in the workplace. Valuable Continuing Education (CE) credits can
be earned for reviewing these new webpages. To learn more about diabetes
and depression and to earn CE credits, visit www.DiabetesAtWork.org/DiabetesResources/DiabetesandDepression.cfm.
CE/CME Credits Available from NDEP’s BetterDiabetesCare Website
The BetterDiabetesCare website focuses on how to improve the way diabetes
care is delivered, rather than on the clinical care itself. Since 2006,
Continuing Education (CE) and Continuing Medical Education (CME)
credits from the Indiana University School of Medicine have been available
through the BetterDiabetesCare website for health care professionals who
tackle this challenge. BetterDiabetesCare emphasizes the need for changes
to systems of care and ways to implement them and is a practical resource
to help health care professionals make a difference in the way diabetes is
prevented and treated. Steps, models, guidelines, resources, and tools for
making and evaluating effective systems changes are provided on the site.
To obtain CE/CME credit, health care professionals choose a topic of
interest, set their own objectives, and complete a project as they use the
website’s tools and materials to assess their current situation, determine
priorities for system changes, plan strategies to implement changes, take
action, and evaluate results. CE credits are awarded for reflective learning, a
self-directed process that occurs in response to key issues or problems that
arise in health care practice. For a nominal fee of $10, users of the website
will receive a certificate documenting up to 10 Category 1 CE/CME credits
per project.
NDEP encourages you to tell your partners, local community health
organizations, professional associations, and every health care professional
you know about this opportunity! To start your CE/CME program today,
visit www.BetterDiabetesCare.nih.gov/CE.htm.
NDEP Publications New and Updated
To order these publications and other NDEP materials, call 1-888-693-NDEP (6337) or visit the NDEP website, www.YourDiabetesInfo.org.
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Power to Prevent: A Family Lifestyle Approach to Diabetes Prevention
This modular curriculum can be used by small
groups to learn how to make healthy lifestyle
changes around food and physical activity to
prevent and manage diabetes. The accompanying
CD-ROM has files for NDEP materials used in
conjunction with the curriculum. |
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DiabetesAtWork Workshop Kit
This CD contains everything you need to plan a
workshop for employers and business coalitions
on “making the business case” for diabetes prevention
and using the DiabetesAtWork website—presentations, agendas, invitation letters, evaluations,
and more taken from actual workshops held
throughout the country. Materials are in English
and Spanish. |
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2008 Diabetes Numbers At-a-Glance
Revised annually, this handy pocket guide provides a list
of current recommendations to diagnose and manage pre-diabetes
and diabetes. Based on the American Diabetes
Association’s clinical recommendations, it includes treatment
goals and a diabetes management schedule. |
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4 Pasos para controlar la diabetes de por vida
An easy-to-read resource, this booklet is
the Spanish version of the 4 Steps to Control
Your Diabetes. For Life. brochure and
helps people with diabetes understand
vital self-care principles. Written for
newly diagnosed people with diabetes as
well as those living with the disease for
years, the four steps empower them to
be active partners in their own care, take
steps to stay healthy, and to understand, monitor, and manage
their diabetes. |
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Tips to Help You Stay Healthy
This newly updated tip sheet provides
a four-part action plan to encourage
people with diabetes to know their A1C,
blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers,
and manage their diabetes to reach their
target numbers. The tip sheet is a companion
piece to the 4 Steps to Control
Your Diabetes. For Life. brochure. |
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Get Real! You Don’t Have to Knock Yourself Out to Prevent Diabetes
This newly revised resource offers tips to help all
Americans at risk for type 2 diabetes move more
and eat less to lose weight and lower their risk for
type 2 diabetes. |
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We Have the Power to Prevent Diabetes
This newly revised resource offers tips to help
American Indians and Alaska Natives prevent
type 2 diabetes by losing weight through being
more physically active and making healthy food
choices. |
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Prevengamos la diabetes tipo 2. Paso a Paso
This newly revised bilingual tip sheet aims to help
Hispanics/Latinos at risk for type 2 diabetes increase
their physical activity and control food intake
to lose weight and lower their diabetes risk.
The tip sheet includes new images, information
about the link between weight loss and decreasing
one’s risk for diabetes, and portion control. |
NDEP on the Road
Upcoming NDEP exhibits in 2008 are listed below:
American Academy
of Family Physicians
September 17 –21
San Diego
American Academy
of Pediatrics
October 11 –14
Boston
American Dietetic
Association
October 25 –28
Chicago
*PDF files require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader application for viewing.
All our publications are copyright-free. Please duplicate and distribute as many copies of these materials as desired.
Attention visually impaired visitors: To use common screen reading programs with PDF documents, please visit access.adobe.com, which provides a set of free tools that convert PDF documents to simple HTML or ASCII text. |
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