KENILWORTH, N.J., March 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck (NYSE:
MRK), known as MSD outside the United
States and Canada, and
actress S. Epatha Merkerson are
bringing the America's Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your Goals
program to Memphis, Tennessee to
encourage African Americans with type 2 diabetes to know their
A1C—their average blood sugar level over the past two to three
months—and talk to their doctors about setting and attaining a
personal A1C goal. Merkerson, as part of the 13 percent of all
African-American adults who have been diagnosed with the disease,
will attend the American Diabetes Association's Live Empowered
event in Memphis, Tennessee at
Tower Center, Clark Tower on
March 20 to share her story.
For many people with diabetes, it is recommended by the American
Diabetes Association (ADA) that they have an A1C of less than 7
percent to help reduce the risk of complications. For certain
individuals, a higher or lower A1C may be more appropriate, which
is why it is important for people with diabetes to speak with their
health care providers to discuss the A1C goal that is right for
them. Nearly half of people with diabetes have an A1C greater than
7 percent.
Merkerson was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2003
after having her blood sugar tested at a health fair event and
being urged to see her doctor. Despite having a family history of
the disease, Merkerson was unaware she had type 2 diabetes. After
her diagnosis, Merkerson became serious about her health and worked
with her doctor to establish her own A1C goal and develop a
personalized diabetes management plan, which included diet,
exercise and medication to help her achieve that goal. By sticking
to that plan—and making changes with her doctor when
necessary—Merkerson has kept her blood sugar under control.
"I lost my father and grandmother to complications of type 2
diabetes," says Merkerson, "so I learned firsthand how important it
is to know your A1C and make a commitment to get to your goal.
That's why I'm excited to work with Merck on America's Diabetes
Challenge to help urge African Americans to learn about proper
blood sugar management and inspire them to set and attain their own
A1C goal."
Type 2 diabetes is a significant health concern in the
African-American community. Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of
death in the community. Nearly 11 percent of the adult population
of Tennessee has been diagnosed
with diabetes and the African-American community comprises about 63
percent of the Memphis
population.
"Many people with type 2 diabetes do not realize that high blood
sugar levels over time can lead to serious long-term health
problems," said Dr. Robin S. Goland,
MD, Co-Director; Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University Medical Center. "Meal planning,
exercise, and medication when prescribed are all important to help
people reach their A1C goal. Because diabetes is a progressive
disease, sometimes adjustments to the treatment plan are necessary.
America's Diabetes Challenge will help inform African
Americans with diabetes in Memphis,
Tennessee about the importance of working with their doctors
to create an individualized treatment plan that is right for them,
then track the progress and adjust the plan, if needed, to help
them get to their A1C goal."
Most people with diabetes are aware of the importance of
controlling high blood sugar, but it's also important for them to
understand why blood sugar can sometimes go too low. For people on
certain diabetes medications, low blood sugar can be caused by
skipping meals or excessive exercise and can make you feel shaky,
dizzy, sweaty, hungry, and sometimes, faint. Make sure your doctor
explains the signs and symptoms of high and low blood sugar to you
and let him or her know if you are experiencing any of those
symptoms.
As part of the America's Diabetes Challenge program,
Merkerson will be participating in the American Diabetes
Association's Live Empowered event in Memphis, Tennessee on March 20 at Tower Center, Clark Tower to share her story and encourage
attendees with type 2 diabetes to pledge to work with their doctors
to know their A1C and set and attain their own A1C goal. Friends
and family can also pledge to challenge their loved ones to get to
their A1C goal. People with type 2 diabetes who take the challenge
can stay motivated by completing missions and accessing resources
available on www.AmericasDiabetesChallenge.com that will help them
work with their doctor to come up with an individualized treatment
plan that is right for them.
"We are excited to work with Merck and S. Epatha Merkerson to include America's
Diabetes Challenge as part of our Live Empowered event," said
Samuel Dagogo-Jack, MD, FRCP, President, Medicine & Science,
American Diabetes Association. "The American Diabetes Association
is committed to raising awareness of diabetes and providing
relevant resources for people with the condition to help them get
to their treatment goals. This program is providing important
information for African Americans living with type 2 diabetes, as
well as their friends and family."
For more information about Merkerson's story, the America's
Diabetes Challenge program, and to make a pledge to set and
attain your own blood sugar goals, visit
www.AmericasDiabetesChallenge.com.You can also join the
America's Diabetes Challenge community by visiting
Facebook.com/AmericasDiabetesChallenge.
About S. Epatha
Merkerson
S. Epatha
Merkerson is a celebrated film, stage and television actress
known for her long-running role as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren in the television series Law
& Order. Merkerson has won multiple awards, including an
Emmy, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and NAACP Image Award for
her work in Lackawanna Blues. Merkerson has also been
nominated twice for a Tony Award and later this year will be
returning to the theatre in the New
York debut of While Yet I Live, by Kinky Boots
star Billy Porter. Merkerson was
diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2003 and is now working with
Merck on America's Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your Goals to
provide resources that help people with type 2 diabetes talk to
their doctors, develop an individualized treatment plan, and stick
to that plan.
About America's Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your
Goals
America's Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your
Goals is an educational program from Merck urging people with
type 2 diabetes to know their A1C and talk to their doctor about
setting and attaining their own blood sugar goals. For more
information on America's Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your
Goals, and to pledge to work with your doctor to reach your
blood sugar goals, visit www.AmericasDiabetesChallenge.com.
About Type 2 Diabetes
Nearly 30 million Americans have
diabetes – most have type 2 diabetes. When someone has type 2
diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin and/or the insulin
that the body makes does not work properly. This causes blood sugar
levels to become too high, and the body may also keep making sugar
even though it does not need it. Once a person has type 2 diabetes,
it does not go away, and high blood sugar levels over time can lead
to serious health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
People with type 2 diabetes can help reduce their risk of
serious complications by setting individual goals to manage the
ABCs of diabetes—A for A1C, also known as blood sugar, B for blood
pressure and C for cholesterol.
It is recommended that many people with diabetes have an A1C of
less than 7 percent to help reduce the risk of
complications, and nearly half of people with diabetes are not
at an A1C of less than 7 percent. A higher or lower A1C may be
appropriate for some people, which is why it is important for
people with diabetes to speak with their doctors about what goal is
right for them.
About Merck
Today's Merck is a global healthcare
leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD
outside the United States and
Canada. Through our prescription
medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and
animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more
than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also
demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare
through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more
information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter,
Facebook and YouTube.
Merck Forward-Looking Statement
This news release
includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
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Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the
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subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying
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actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the
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Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general
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including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations;
the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care
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and internationally; global trends toward health care cost
containment; technological advances, new products and patents
attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product
development, including obtaining regulatory approval; Merck's
ability to accurately predict future market conditions;
manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of
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effectiveness of Merck patents and other protections for innovative
products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent
litigation, and/or regulatory actions.
Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause
results to differ materially from those described in the
forward-looking statements can be found in Merck's 2013 Annual
Report on Form 10-K and the company's other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's
Internet site (www.sec.gov).
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