A new survey conducted by the American Diabetes Association indicates that as many as one fifth of Americans aged 40 years and above consider lifestyle changes related to health (including diabetes) ‘too hard’ to make. Taking this into account, the ADA has today launched a national prevention initiative called CheckUp America. The campaign will help American people to learn how to lower type 2 diabetes and heart disease risk.
John Buse, the President-Elect of Medicine and Science at the ADA reportedly commented: “The alarming rise in conditions like obesity, high blood glucose, and high blood pressure in America demands greater efforts to educate both people and physicians about the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Through CheckUp American, the ADA will provide information and tools to help people at-risk take necessary and modest steps to reduce disease risk and live a healthier life.”
CheckUp America is designed to manage pre-diabetic factors to reduce the risk of diabetes. To help with this, the ADA is developing a risk assessment tool called My Health Advisor. Buse concluded: “Our major goal is to dispel the myth that disease prevention requires an extraordinary effort. In reality, small steps like modestly increasing physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Helping individuals understand and apply this information could mean the difference between life and death.”
Diabetics and healthcare staff should welcome such positive policy .
