CDC, NIH Release New Resource for Preventing Diabetes in African-Americans
A new diabetes prevention resource designed to encourage and help faith-based and community organizations get actively involved in deterring preventable diabetes among African-Americans was released by the National Diabetes Education Program, a joint venture of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.
CDC says the new interactive educational kit, titled Power to Prevent: A Family Lifestyle Approach to Diabetes Prevention, provides hands-on instruction and guidance in making behavior changes that can help prevent diabetes.
"Too many African-Americans have, or will get, diabetes," said Ann Albright, Ph.D., director of CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation. "Fortunately, many people and families can take steps to prevent that from happening. It's often difficult to change or adopt new behaviors, but this new resource gives many examples of things that most people can do that will help them avoid a very serious lifelong disease. This program also helps faith-based and community organizations, which are very important to many African-American families, provide the support that can make a difference in helping people take on new nutrition and exercise habits."
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and the prevalence rate more than doubled among African-Americans from 1980 to 2005, from 3.3 to 6.8, respectively. To download or order a free single printed copy of the program, go to www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndep/power_to_prevent.htm. For general information about diabetes, visit www.cdc.gov/diabetes.