Healthfirst Joins Forces with American Diabetes Association to Launch 2012 Diabetes Awareness Workshop Series
Contact:
Laura Vialva
212-801-1451
718-764-3517 (Mobile)
Lvialva@healthfirst.org
NEW YORK, NY, March 20, 2012 – Healthfirst and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) announced their collaboration today to launch a series of the ADA diabetes awareness workshops in the New York City area.
Hosted by Healthfirst provider hospitals in the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Long Island. the series kickoff begins on March 27th, which is ADA Alert Day. This is a one-day “wake-up call” asking the American public to take a Diabetes Risk Test – a simple questionnaire – to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes affects nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States, and a quarter of them – 7 million – do not even know they have it. An additional 79 million, or one in three American adults, have prediabetes, making them a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. , Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, and occurs when either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent in African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population.
Primarily targeting these high-risk groups, the Healthfirst/ADA diabetes awareness workshops will educate adults about risk factors for type 2 diabetes and provide information to diabetics on how to manage the disease through proper nutrition and exercise.
“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.”
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.”
The workshops will be held throughout the spring at participating health centers including Joseph P. Addabbo Health Center, Bronx-Lebanon Health Center, Chinese American Independent Practice Association (CAIPA) Senior Center, Elmhurst Hospital Center, Gouverneur Healthcare Services, Nassau Health Care Corporation (NuHealth), Queens Hospital Center andSt. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital.
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 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.
