KENILWORTH, N.J., Aug. 14, 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 New York
City. 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 New York, 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 New York
City 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 American Diabetes
Association's Feria de Salud on August
15 in St. Mary's Park at 146th Street to 148th Street, St.
Ann's Avenue, Bronx. 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 New York –
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 New York
City, the Hispanic community comprises 28.6 percent of the
overall population and makes up 54.6 percent of the Bronx's 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 Feria de Salud," said Kevin
Shippy, Executive Director, Greater New York chapter, 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
|
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Merck
|
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(908)
236-4223
|
|
|
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Samantha
Boyd
|
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American Diabetes
Association
|
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(703) 549-1500 ext.
2139
|
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