Diabetes Dateline

NDEP News

New Campaign Launched: Be Smart About Your Heart: Control the ABCs of Diabetes

The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), a Federal initiative sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has launched the Be Smart About Your Heart: Control the ABCs of Diabetes campaign designed to help people with diabetes lower their risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a partner in this effort to increase awareness of the most deadly long-term complications of diabetes—heart disease and stroke. "People with diabetes know how important it is to control their blood glucose, but too little attention is paid to the role of cholesterol and blood pressure. Research shows that this new approach, aggressively treating these three risk factors, can save lives" according to NIDDK Director Allen M. Spiegel.

The key message of the campaign—that control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol can prevent heart disease and stroke—is highlighted in the new campaign brochure as the ABCs of diabetes:

• A is for A1C
• B is for blood pressure
• C is for cholesterol

The brochure provides target levels for tests, suggested frequency of testing, and action steps for lowering cardiovascular risk. A wallet card to record test results, space to write contact information for health care providers, and additional resources are also included. To obtain the new brochure, call 1–800–438–5383 or visit NDEP's website at http://ndep.nih.gov.

Older Adults Campaign Is Revisited

The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), a program sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in coordination with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has revived its older adults campaign. The campaign was launched with a new design and slogan: "The power to control diabetes is in your hands."

The campaign targets people over age 65 and focuses on the importance of regular consultations with health care providers and regular blood glucose testing. In addition, the patient brochures also focus on the availability of Medicare benefits and Medicare coverage for blood glucose monitoring equipment and supplies.

Campaign materials in both English and Spanish include patient brochures, posters, print ads, a countertop display, a health care practitioner resource guide, and a media kit. The "Power to Control" message was pretested with African American, Hispanic American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Caucasian Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes in seven locations across the United States. All focus groups tested found the new message effective.

The new "Power to Control" campaign was launched through the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Please call 1–800–860–8747 or preview the materials on the NDEP website at http://ndep.nih.gov.

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