Top Healthcare Organizations Join Forces to Fight Diabetes in Asian-American Communities
Healthfirst, CAIPA, ADA, and New York Downtown Hospital to Host Workshop
Contact:
Laura Vialva
212-801-1451
718-764-3517 (mobile)
Lvialva@healthfirst.org
NEW YORK, NY, April 18, 2012 – Healthfirst, Chinese American Independent Practice Association (CAIPA) and New York Downtown Hospital have partnered with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to host a diabetes awareness workshop educating Asian-Americans about Type 2 diabetes prevention and treatment. The workshop is scheduled for April 26th from 9:00am-1:00pm at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in the Chinatown section of Manhattan.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes is now the fifth-leading cause of death among Asian-American and Pacific Islander populations in the United States1. In the United States, 8.4 percent of Asian-Americans are diabetics with a prevalence of Type 2 diabetes affecting Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.2As recently as 2010 in New York City, 11.3% for Asian/Pacific Islanders were living with diabetes3. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, occurring either when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin.
“Healthfirst’s top priority is to help the communities we serve achieve optimal health. To do this, people need to be well-informed about how to prevent disease and achieve a healthier lifestyle,” said Pat Wang, Healthfirst President and CEO. “We are very pleased to be able to work with the ADA to increase the community’s awareness about the serious nature of diabetes and its long-term effects and to promote steps that we can all take to maintain good health.”
"Asian Americans are not immune to our nation's diabetes epidemic. In fact, the number of Asian Americans suffering from this terrible disease is increasing at an alarming rate with nearly 40 percent of New York City Chinese-Americans ages 65 and over diagnosed with diabetes,” said George Liu, MD, CAIPA President and founder of the Asian Diabetes Center. "Through early detection, diagnosis and treatment will we be able to help Asian Americans control their diabetes - and hopefully - ensure they never become diabetic.”
Greater New York City Area ADA Executive Director Gina Murdoch said, “We are thrilled to be working with Healthfirst in bringing the message of the growing epidemic of diabetes to their members. By conducting these ADA workshops, we will make a significant entrée into our at risk populations through education and engagement.”
Additional workshops are scheduled throughout the spring at participating health centers including Joseph P. Addabbo Health Center, Bronx-Lebanon Health Center, Elmhurst Hospital Center, Gouverneur Healthcare Services, Nassau Health Care Corporation (NuHealth), St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital and Queens Hospital Center.
To learn more about the Healthfirst/ADA diabetes awareness workshop series, please visit the Healthfirst Healthy Living website at www.hfhealthyliving.org.
About Healthfirst
Established in 1993, Healthfirst is a not-for-profit managed care organization that offers low or no-cost health insurance to eligible individuals and families living in the New York metropolitan area and New Jersey. It provides a variety of government-sponsored health insurance programs, including New York State's Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and Medicaid, as well as Medicare Advantage. The Healthfirst family of companies includes Healthfirst in New York, Healthfirst NJ in New Jersey, and Senior Health Partners (SHP), a managed long term care plan serving Medicaid-eligible clients in New York City. For more information, visit the company's websites at www.healthfirst.org and www.healthfirstnj.org.
About Chinese American Independent Practice Association, Inc. (CAIPA)
Established in 1998, CAIPA provider network organization that offers residents of New York City, particularly Asian-Americans, a group of high-quality and cost-effective multi-specialties doctors help them manage their health and well-being. CAIPA has over 600 members and affiliated professionals serving over 300,000 residents in the Asian-American communities.
About New York Downtown Hospital-Chinese Community Partnership for Health (CCPH)
Established in 1993, the goal of the Partnership is to offer preventive healthcare services and health education programs to the Chinese community, especially to elderly residents and to newly arrived immigrants who are not yet comfortable with the English language or the American healthcare system. For nineteen years, the CCPH has been providing free healthcare services to this underserved community. Our bilingual, culturally sensitive outreach team visits schools, community organizations, and senior centers to address their specific health needs. For more information please call our hotline at 1-212-312-5740.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences 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.
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REFERENCES
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Leading Causes of Death by Race/Ethnicity (pdf) Health, U.S., 2010, Table 26.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf. Accessed April 6, 2012.
3. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Epidemiology Services. EpiQuery: NYC Interactive Health Data System. www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/epiquery.shtml. Accessed April 6, 2012.
