For Immediate Release
NACDD and CDC Release First Ever Prediabetes Broadcast Campaign
November 7, 2015 -Atlanta, GA
In response to the national obesity epidemic, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will release the first-ever broadcast television messages about the dangers of prediabetes on Sunday, November 8th.
Three different, thirty second spots will air on CBS in the greater NYC DMA (designated market area) consisting of 29 counties that reach New Jersey, Philadelphia and parts of Connecticut. The messages are part of CBS Television's HealthWatch® news format and are fronted by CDC's Director of Diabetes, Dr. Ann Albright. "We couldn't have a better spokesperson for this campaign," said NACDD's Senior Diabetes Consultant Marti Macchi, adding, "Dr. Albright has been a tireless voice of warning regarding the dangers of prediabetes."
Still a relatively new term, prediabetes is a medical condition that constitutes higher than normal blood sugar but not high enough to cause diabetes. Prediabetes is the precursor of diabetes that can have multiple complications, such as blindness, kidney failure and amputation, according to the CDC.
The public health announcements, that will generate approximately 40 million impressions, ask viewers to talk to their doctors about prediabetes and request a simple blood test to determine their risk.
Viewers are also asked to go to www.cdc.gov/prediabetes to take an online risk test to determine if one has prediabetes. This broadcast campaign is part of a larger strategy by the CDC to raise awareness of the condition.
The CDC leads the effort to scale and sustain the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) in every state and U.S. Territory, which consists of a series of lifestyle change classes that teach about healthy food and physical activity choices. "This program has a 58% success rate across all demographics, ages and ethnicities," reports NACDD's CEO John Robitscher. Supported by over 700 program providers across the country, the National Diabetes Prevention Program is taught at many YMCAs and other community and faith-based organizations.
The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors is one of six national organizations, funded by the CDC to help increase adoption and reimbursement for the program.
Contact John Patton, Director of Communications at the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, for more information at: 770-458-7400 x 222 or at .
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