ADA Launches New Website — Diabetes.org

To meet the changing needs of people affected by this growing epidemic, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has launched a completely redesigned https://www.diabetes.org in English and Spanish.

Even though diabetes is a growing epidemic, a recent survey conducted by the ADA showed that Americans received a failing grade in diabetes awareness. The website’s reorganization better targets audience members based on where their interest in diabetes lies (prevention, management, complications, caring for a loved one, etc…), and provides an engaging community with customizable tools and support, in addition to the research-based information that always has brought people to https://www.diabetes.org.

“In this day and age, information alone is not enough,” said George Huntley, CPA, Chair of the Board. “We found consumers are also looking for a supportive, engaging community along with tools that can help with daily living to prevent and manage diabetes as well as general health and wellness.”

The new site design, based on extensive consumer research, integrates its multiple vendors’ strengths into a single website that meets the ADA’s broad and diverse mission while centering around three primary concepts: help, hope and support.

The new website provides the tangible information users want to find, including diabetes risk factors, recipes, nutrition guidelines, first diagnosis and diabetes-related complications for Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Test visitors found the new site to be very educational without being too “medical.”

The website has been reorganized to better highlight the most popular pages and search topics. For example, Living with Diabetes now includes a section called “Know Your Rights” that educates readers about both school and employment discrimination based on diabetes.

Nutrition: People affected by diabetes or anyone searching for healthy lifestyle information can explore the award-winning MyFoodAdvisor®. This interactive tool allows users to search for recipes, seek nutrition information and find healthier alternative ingredients to use in their own recipes.

Risks: My Health Advisor helps people understand their personal risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The tool looks at a person’s specific risk factors, such as family history and lifestyle choices, as well as other factors (such as access to health care), to determine his or her risk for developing diabetes and its related complications. The online calculator immediately reflects and adjusts a person’s risk outcome based on small changes he or she makes in his or her life, such as losing 5-10 pounds or quitting smoking.

Anyone living with diabetes, at risk for diabetes, or caring for someone who lives with diabetes can come to diabetes.org to find the latest diabetes news and cutting-edge research they care about — and ways to become involved!

Research News: Many of the latest diabetes stories in the news originate in ADA-funded research projects or are published in one of the association’s medical or scientific journals. This is an essential way that the organization seeks to fulfill its mission toward a cure for diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by the disease.

Test visitors found that the website elicited feeling of comfort and support. Some features offered to further foster this support in the diabetes community include:

Message Boards: The new design allows message board users to better engage with one another in a more personalized and interactive experience.

Live Chats: People can chat with the ADA’s National Call Center staff online during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. ET). Some of the most popular topics include questions about health insurance, food and nutrition, and diabetes management for the newly diagnosed.

Community Events: Users can find events near them based on their location and/or interest, such as education, support or fundraising events. This is yet another way the new site connects the national organization with its constituents’ local area and interest.

American Diabetes Association