Campaign 'Kicks Off' at League of United Latin American Citizens Annual
Convention;
With Proper Foot Care, Most of the 82,000 Amputations Due to Diabetes Each
Year are Preventable
CHICAGO, July 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Check Your Feet!" That's
the important advice millions of Americans with diabetes are about to get
in television, radio, and print public service announcements (PSAs) created
by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) in partnership with the League
of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and the American Diabetes
Association (ADA). The PSAs, featuring Roberto Garza, starting lineman for
the Chicago Bears, will be distributed in English and Spanish, starting
today in markets across the country.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040830/AHIPLOGO )
Up to 85% of the 82,000 amputations associated with diabetes in the
U.S. each year could be prevented with proper foot care. There are 20.8
million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population,
who have diabetes. More than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations
occur in people with diabetes.
The campaign "kicked off" today at the annual LULAC convention in
Chicago, where Garza will be recognized at a youth awards dinner this
evening as a "Hero of the Heart." Garza is a past Bears nominee for the
National Football League's prestigious "Walter Payton Man of the Year"
award that considers a player's contributions to the community as well as
his on-field accomplishments, and he has been heavily involved in diabetes
awareness for many years.
"For America's Health Insurance Plans, good health is our mission. And
so we are proud to join Roberto Garza, LULAC, and ADA in a broad-based
effort to encourage people with diabetes to get and practice proper foot
care," said AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni, who initiated the
project. "We're proud to be partners with like-minded organizations such as
LULAC. Both AHIP and LULAC will be urging English and Spanish-language
media outlets to broadcast this simple, important message to audiences all
over the country," she said.
Diabetes education is a top priority for AHIP, LULAC, and ADA, who are
working together to publicize the fact that simple steps like removing your
socks and shoes and having your doctor examine your feet on each visit can
make the difference. This is the first time the three have joined forces.
The campaign is part of a broad collaboration between AHIP and LULAC that
will include an ongoing focus on diabetes prevention and treatment in the
Hispanic community. Approximately 10 percent of all Latinos -- more than
two million individuals -- have diabetes, which is twice the rate as for
non-Hispanic whites according to the American Diabetes Association and the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
"LULAC has a long history advocating for patient education programs to
continue raising the quality of life for all Latino families. We are very
excited about our partnership with AHIP, ADA, and the Chicago Bears on a
terrific public education campaign in the Hispanic community that creates
greater awareness about diabetes prevention - a disease disproportionately
affecting Hispanic families," said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales.
"Our campaign spokesperson, football star Roberto Garza, is a magnificent
and inspiring role model to Latinos of all ages," she said.
Garza's commitment stems from family experience, including that of his
grandfather, who lost two toes to the disease. Knowing that diabetes is
more prevalent among Hispanic Americans, Garza was enthusiastic about
launching the new campaign.
"I believe that if my grandfather had this information, it would have
made a difference for him," said Garza. "I want to use my position to help
others avoid what happened in my family," he said.
"We are excited to continue our relationship with AHIP, LULAC and
Roberto Garza in educating the public about proper foot care and reducing
the risk of amputations," said ADA President, Medicine and Science, Larry
Deeb, MD. "It has been the goal of ADA to educate the public across the
country and we are proud to be a part of this initiative once again."
AHIP and ADA work together on diabetes education programs that include
a previous education campaign with Garza.
To view TV, print, and radio versions of the PSA, please visit
http://www.ahip.org/content/default.aspx?bc=38|72|74.
America's Health Insurance Plans represents nearly 1,300 member
companies that provide health benefits to more than 200 million Americans.
More information at http://www.AHIP.org.
The League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest
Hispanic organization in the U.S., advances the economic condition,
educational attainment, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans of
all nationality groups. It operates thought more than 700 LULAC councils
throughout the country and has about 115,000 members. More information at
http://www.LULAC.org.
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's premier voluntary
health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy.
Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the
country, providing services to hundreds of communities. The mission of the
Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all
people affected by diabetes. For more information, please visit
http://www.diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).
Information is available in English and Spanish.
Roberto Garza has played for the Chicago Bears as starting offensive
lineman since 2005. He was named a little-college All-America first-team
selection and an All-Lone-Star Conference performer at center as a senior
at Texas A&M Kingsville. He is a native of Rio Hondo, Texas.
Check Your Feet!
What to do if you have diabetes:
-- Wear roomy soft-soled shoes; always wear clean socks; do not go
barefoot. Helps prevent infections.
-- Do not cross your legs when sitting. Keeps the blood flowing to your
feet.
-- Use lotion (but not between your toe) to keep your skin soft and
smooth. Helps prevent blisters and sores.
-- Properly care for your toenails. Ask your doctor for instructions.
-- Call your doctor if you notice blisters or sores, your feet change
color or shape, or they just feel different. Treat problems early.
-- Take your shoes and socks off each time you visit your doctor. Make
sure your physicians checks your feet at every visit.
-- CHECK YOUR FEET EVERY DAY
Contact:
Robert Zirkelbach, AHIP, 202-778-8493
Lizette Jenness Olmos, LULAC, 202-365-4553
Jessica Kies, Chicago Bears, 847-739-5308
Angela Russo, ADA, 800-676-4065 (ext. 3425)
SOURCE America's Health Insurance Plans
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.ahip.org
http://www.LULAC.org http://www.diabetes.org
CONTACT:
Robert Zirkelbach of America's Health
Insurance Plans, +1-202-778-8493; Lizette Jenness Olmos of the
League of United Latin American Citizens, +1-202-365-4553; or
Jessica Kies of the Chicago Bears, +1-847-739-5308; or Angela
Russo of American Diabetes Association, +1-800-676-4065 (ext.
3425)
|
