Revitalized Campaign Shows Patients that, The Power To Control Is In Their Hands

The NDEP announced a newly updated awareness campaign for “The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), a joint Federal program of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announced the newly updated “The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands” awareness campaign for older adults with diabetes. The goal of the campaign is to help the 18.3 percent of adults age 60 and older with diabetes manage their disease. The highlights include a community action kit and a brochure designed to reach older adults with diabetes and their loved ones.

Although diabetes and its complications occur in people of all ages and racial and ethnic groups, older adults are more commonly affected, and many older adults with diabetes are on fixed incomes that make it difficult for them to follow all recommended self-care routines. “Older adults may find the cost of supplies and services needed to control their diabetes overwhelming,” said Griffin Rodgers, M.D., Deputy Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at NIH. “Through the Power to Control campaign, we can effectively teach older adults with diabetes that the complications from diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Through the campaign we can also inform older adults how to access the Medicare benefits that can help cover the cost of supplies and services that can help control their disease, and ultimately, improve the quality of their lives.”

The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands community action kit is a comprehensive resource designed to assist community organizations in helping their older adult members living with diabetes learn how to manage the disease and live longer, healthier lives. Tips and materials in this kit include diabetes information; resource lists; ideas to promote diabetes awareness, education, and control; and marketing materials to promote the campaign. In addition, the community kit includes a clear and comprehensive Power to Control brochure about diabetes and related Medicare benefits that can also be used independently for older adults living with diabetes and their loved ones. This brochure, available in English and Spanish, focuses on the importance of a comprehensive approach to controlling diabetes by managing blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol; taking prescribed medicines; making healthy lifestyle choices; and accessing Medicare benefits.

For more information about the NDEP and to obtain free copies of the Power to Control brochure and community action kit, visit the NDEP at https://ndep.nih.gov/campaigns/Power/Power_index.htm or call 1-800-438-5383.