KENILWORTH, N.J., July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck (NYSE:
MRK), known as MSD outside the United
States and Canada, the
American Diabetes Association and celebrity chef and cookbook
author Leticia Moreinos Schwartz are bringing Desafiando La
Diabetes: Logra Tus Metas to Chicago. The program is designed to encourage
Hispanics living with type 2 diabetes to know their A1C—their
average blood glucose level over the past two to three months—and
work with their doctor to set and reach their A1C goal. Through the
program, Hispanics living with type 2 diabetes can also learn if
they are at risk of low blood glucose, known as hypoglycemia, and
how to help reduce that risk.
In Illinois, nearly 9 percent
of the adult population has been diagnosed with diabetes and it is
a significant concern among Hispanic adults, as they are nearly
twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as non-Hispanic white
adults. During her visit to Chicago with the Association, Chef Leticia,
who has a family history of type 2 diabetes and lost her
grandfather to complications of the disease, will attend the Pilsen
Neighbors Community Council's Fiesta Del Sol event on July 31 at 1400 West Cermak Road, Chicago. During the event, she will share some
of her favorite Hispanic/Latino diabetes-friendly recipes and
encourage people to make a pledge to know their own A1C.
About one-third of adults living with diabetes are not at their
A1C goal. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people
with diabetes have an individualized A1C goal, which for many
adults is less than 7 percent. Other people with diabetes may have
a higher or lower A1C goal, so it is important they talk to their
doctor about the goal that's right for them. Adults with type 2
diabetes can help reduce their risk of serious complications by
setting individual goals to help manage the ABCs of diabetes—A for
A1C, also known as blood glucose, B for blood pressure and C for
cholesterol.
"After living for years with type 2 diabetes, my grandfather
passed away from a stroke, one of the serious complications of this
disease. His passing prompted my entire family to reevaluate our
lifestyle," said Chef Leticia. "Now, I know how important it is for
people with diabetes to know their A1C and make a commitment to
work with their doctor to get to their A1C goal. I am proud to help
empower Hispanics in Chicago – and
around the country – to better manage their health."
Many people with type 2 diabetes are aware of the importance of
controlling high blood glucose by diet, exercise, and taking
medicine (if prescribed), but they may not understand why blood
glucose can sometimes go too low. This is known as
hypoglycemia and can make people feel shaky, dizzy, sweaty, and
sometimes, faint. If left untreated, low blood glucose may lead to
a seizure or loss of consciousness. Some diabetes medicines can
cause low blood glucose, particularly if patients skip meals,
change their diet, or increase their exercise.
"There is no one-size-fits-all approach to diabetes management
and I find that many patients may not be having an open dialogue
with their doctor around the risks of both high and low blood
glucose and the importance of coming up with a proper treatment
plan that fits their needs," said Samuel
Arce, M.D., F.A.A.F.P, Association volunteer. "Programs like
Desafiando La Diabetes are valuable for the Hispanic
community, because they can be a first step in fueling necessary
conversations that motivate patients to visit their doctor and take
action."
Nearly 13 percent of U.S. Hispanic adults are already diagnosed
with diabetes, one of the highest prevalence rates among ethnic
groups in the country, and it is the fifth leading cause of death
in the Hispanic community. In Chicago, the Hispanic community comprises 28.9
percent of the overall population.
"We are excited to collaborate with Merck and Chef Leticia to
reach Hispanics living with diabetes, a community particularly at
risk for this serious disease, by bringing Desafiando La
Diabetes to Fiesta del Sol," said Jeanette Flom, Executive Director of the
Chicago/Northern Illinois area for the 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 Hispanics living with type 2 diabetes, as well as their friends
and family."
For more information about Chef Leticia and Desafiando La
Diabetes, and to download Hispanic/Latino diabetes-friendly
recipes, visit www.DesafiandoLaDiabetes.com. You can also join the
America's Diabetes Challenge community by visiting
Facebook.com/AmericasDiabetesChallenge.
About Chef Leticia Moreinos Schwartz
Chef Leticia Moreinos Schwartz is a chef, cookbook author,
teacher, and food stylist with expertise in Hispanic and Latino
cuisine. Diabetes is a topic that is very close to her heart, which
is why Chef Leticia is partnering with Merck on Desafiando La
Diabetes: Logra Tus Metas to challenge Hispanics with type 2
diabetes to know their A1C and to work with their doctor to set and
reach their A1C goal.
About Type 2 Diabetes
Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes, and 90 to 95 percent
of these people 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
glucose levels to become too high, and the body may also keep
making glucose even though it does not need it. Once a person has
type 2 diabetes, it does not go away, and high blood glucose levels
over time can lead to serious health problems, such as heart
disease and stroke.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop
Diabetes and its 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. For the past 75
years, our mission has been 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.
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.
Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc.,
Kenilworth, N.J., USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the "company") includes
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor
provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and
expectations of the company's management and are subject to
significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees
with respect to pipeline products that the products will receive
the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be
commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove
inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results
may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking
statements.
Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general
industry conditions and competition; general economic factors,
including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations;
the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care
legislation in the United States
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; the company's
ability to accurately predict future market conditions;
manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of
international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the
effectiveness of the company's patents and other protections for
innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including
patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.
The company 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 the company's 2014
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).
Media Contacts:
Kristen
Drake
Merck
(908)
236-4223
Samantha
Boyd
American Diabetes
Association
(703) 549-1500 ext. 2139
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