ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwire - September 9, 2008) -
Click on the following link to view ADA Men's Health Campaign Video:
http://www.firstlinemedia.com/video/ADA_Mens_Health_Campaign_v5.wmv
In addition to dealing with the day-to-day aspects of diabetes management
that involve blood glucose, nutrition and lifestyle management, men in the
United States with diabetes are also grappling with other physical,
emotional and sexual health issues according to survey findings released
today by the American Diabetes Association.
According to the research, only 30% of men surveyed claimed to know "a lot"
about their disease and only one quarter (25%) of men with diabetes
reported eating balanced and nutritious meals. Additionally, 60% of men
felt that more information could help them better manage their disease, and
65% felt more information could help them have more useful conversations
with their health care providers about their disease.
To respond to this need, the American Diabetes Association is launching a
national educational campaign to provide men with diabetes -- and their
spouses -- with information and resources to better manage their diabetes
and the array of other health conditions that can be associated with this
disease.
"The American Diabetes Association recognizes that there are many
information needs for people with diabetes; this program is a major step
toward filling in important gaps that specifically affect men. This
campaign offers enhanced information and tools to help men better
appreciate the importance of adopting a more comprehensive, or modern,
approach to managing their diabetes," said Richard M. Bergenstal, M.D.,
Vice President, Medicine & Science, American Diabetes Association. "These
survey results reinforce that there are many health issues associated with
diabetes that men currently overlook or aren't even aware of -- from
managing blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol to physical,
emotional, and sexual health issues such as erectile dysfunction and low
testosterone."
In an effort to bridge the communication gap between men with diabetes,
their health care providers, and significant others, the American Diabetes
Association has developed a campaign with a focus on challenging men to
take charge of their own health. Featuring a variety of new resources
specifically for men, the campaign includes The Modern Man's Guide to
Living Well with Diabetes handbook, an enhanced men's health section on the
American Diabetes Association Web site at diabetes.org/menshealth and a
public service announcement (PSA).
"Men can take small steps that can have a big impact on their ability to
better manage their diabetes," said Dr. Bergenstal. "Doing what they know,
like staying active, sticking to a healthful diet, learning about increased
risks for related conditions, and talking with a doctor if they are
suffering from bothersome symptoms, is the key to managing diabetes today."
Of the nearly 24 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, 12 million are
men. Many of these men are unaware that they are at an increased risk for
complications such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, disease and
amputation, as well as other conditions that affect their physical, sexual
and emotional health. In fact, the survey showed that men with type 2
diabetes and the wives of such men are mostly unknowledgeable about low
testosterone. With symptoms such as depressed mood, erectile dysfunction
and fatigue, men with low testosterone may feel too frustrated, unmotivated
or unaware to discuss disease-related complications with a doctor or loved
one, further diminishing their ability to take a proactive approach to
managing their disease.
Campaign Offers Support to Men with Diabetes
Committed to providing people with diabetes and their loved ones with the
most comprehensive and up-to-date information, the updated American
Diabetes Association men's health Web site (www.diabetes.org/menshealth)
now offers enhanced resources to aid and empower men with diabetes who are
seeking male-specific health information, including practical diet and
exercise tips, information about sleep apnea and other conditions and
information about physical, emotional and sexual health.
In addition to the availability of men's health-specific information
online, the campaign will kick off a cross-country tour via its national
Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes events this fall. As part of one of the
country's largest series of charitable walks, 20 cities will feature a new
Men's Health Corner booth where men and their spouses can speak with a
health representative about a variety of men's health issues.
The Modern Man's Guide to Living Well with Diabetes handbook, a one-stop
guide for men living with diabetes today, will also be available at the 20
Step Out events, on the enhanced men's health Web site and by calling
1-800-DIABETES. For more information about the campaign, its tools and how
you can get involved in a Step Out event in your city, visit
www.diabetes.org/menshealth.
About the Survey
The American Diabetes Association survey of 1,000 men with type 2 diabetes,
age 40-60, and 1,000 female spouses of men with the disease assessed their
knowledge of type 2 diabetes in general and its complications. The online
survey also explored respondent's opinions about their overall quality of
life and current approach to managing their disease. Results showed that
men with type 2 diabetes know the proper things to do to better manage
their condition, but are not doing them. Fewer than half of their wives
think their spouses are actively engaging in activities such as physical
exercise, reducing stress or maintaining a positive attitude that would
help in the management of their type 2 diabetes. Results also found that
the majority of men surveyed (79%) think a walking program in which the
number of steps was recorded each day would be a beneficial tool to manage
their condition.
Additional findings include:
-- Men with type 2 diabetes were likely to get less enjoyment out of
life, and say that the disease has negatively impacted their sex lives.
-- These men also said they noticed a recent deterioration in their work
performance.
-- Six in 10 men say that knowing more would help them better manage
their condition
-- More than one-third of men surveyed are experiencing four or more
symptoms associated with low testosterone, but surprisingly, 66% of this
high-risk group admitted to knowing little -- if nothing at all -- about
the condition.
About Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use
insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and
other food into energy needed for daily life.
There are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8% of
the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have
been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.7 million people (or nearly
one quarter) are unaware that they have the disease. Type 2 diabetes is the
most common form of diabetes in the United States, accounting for 90% to
95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. While diabetes occurs in people of
all ages and races, some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2
diabetes than others. For example, type 2 diabetes is more common in
African Americans, Latinos/Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian
Americans/Pacific Islanders. Type 2 diabetes is also most common in adults
over 45, though the prevalence in younger people is on the rise.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadly
consequences of diabetes and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The
Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers
services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible
information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of
diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and
to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more
information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES
(1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these
sources is available in English and Spanish.
The campaign and survey were funded, in part, through a charitable
contribution from Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Editor's Note: To view or download campaign and survey facts sheets,
broadcast standard b-roll and other media assets, visit
www.diabetes.org/menshealth.
For more information and to view the National Men's Health Education
Campaign Fact Sheet, please visit http://www.firstlinemedia.com/ada/