WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J.,
Aug. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/
-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, is teaming with celebrity chef and
cookbook author Leticia Moreinos Schwartz on Desafiando La
Diabetes: Logra Tus Metas, an educational program encouraging
Hispanics with type 2 diabetes to achieve better control of their
blood sugar—a key treatment goal to help reduce the risk of serious
health problems. Hispanics in the United
States are at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes
than non-Hispanic white adults, and it is the fifth leading cause
of death within the Hispanic community. Chef Leticia, who has a
family history of type 2 diabetes, will visit select cities to cook
up some of her favorite diabetes-friendly Latin recipes, urge
Hispanics to know their A1C (average blood sugar level over the
past two to three months), and work with their doctors to set and
attain their own A1C goal.
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 goal 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.
"After living with type 2 diabetes for many years, my
grandfather passed away from a stroke, one of the serious
complications of diabetes, so I know how important it is for people
with diabetes to know their A1C and make a commitment to get to
their A1C goal," said Chef Leticia. "I'm proud to work with Merck
on Desafiando La Diabetes to help urge Hispanics to learn
about how to control blood sugar and inspire them to eat healthier
as part of an overall plan to reach their goals."
Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, as well as
medications (if prescribed by your doctor), are all important to
help you get to your A1C goal. Because diabetes is progressive,
sometimes adjustments to your treatment plan are necessary,
including changes to medications, diet, and activity level. As part
of the program, Chef Leticia is sharing some of her favorite
diabetes-friendly Hispanic dishes through cooking demonstrations
with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) at the Univision
Latina Health Fair event in San
Antonio at the Freeman Coliseum on August 16. Attendees will also have the
opportunity to sample one of these dishes, which will be served by
a participating local food truck.
"We are excited to work with Merck and Univision to feature
Desafiando La Diabetes as part of this year's Latina Health
Fair," said Tiffani Nair, Director
of Mission Delivery & Communications, American Diabetes
Association. "The American Diabetes Association is committed to
raising awareness of diabetes and providing relevant resources for
people with diabetes 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."
Diabetes disproportionately affects the Hispanic community in
the United States. Hispanic adults
are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as
non-Hispanic white adults. In fact, almost 13% of U.S. Hispanic
adults are already diagnosed, which is one of the highest
prevalence rates among ethnic groups in the country. Hispanics
comprise 59.1 percent of the population in Bexar County, which has an overall diabetes
prevalence of 16 percent.
"Many people with type 2 diabetes may not realize that high
blood sugar levels over time can lead to serious long-term health
problems, so it's important that Hispanics and others living with
diabetes learn how to better manage their disease," said
Robert Espinoza, MD, Family
Medicine, Santa Ana California.
"Desafiando La Diabetes will help educate Hispanics in
San Antonio about the importance
of working with their doctors to come up with an individualized
treatment plan to help them get to their A1C goal, track their
progress and adjust the plan if needed, since diabetes is a
progressive disease."
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.
At the Latina Health Fair event, Chef Leticia will encourage
people with type 2 diabetes to pledge to know their A1C and to talk
to their doctor about setting and attaining their own blood sugar
goals. Friends and family can also pledge to challenge their loved
ones to get to their goals. People with type 2 diabetes who take
the challenge can stay motivated by completing missions and
accessing important resources available on DesafiandoLaDiabetes.com
that will help them work with their doctor to come up with an
individualized treatment plan that is right for them.
For more information about Leticia's story, the Desafiando La
Diabetes program, bilingual resources, and diabetes-friendly
recipes, visit DesafiandoLaDiabetes.com
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, and Chef Leticia is now
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 attain blood sugar
goals.
About Desafiando La Diabetes: Logra Tus
Metas
Desafiando La Diabetes: Logra Tus Metas is
an educational program from Merck urging Hispanics with type 2
diabetes to know their A1C and to talk to their doctor about
setting and attaining their own blood sugar goals. For more
information on Desafiando La Diabetes: Logra Tus Metas, and
to pledge to work with your doctor to reach your blood sugar goals,
visit DesafiandoLaDiabetes.com.
About Type 2 Diabetes
Approximately 29.1 million
people in the United States have
diabetes, and 90% to 95% of these people have type 2 diabetes. One
of three American men and nearly 2 of 5 American women born in 2000
will develop diabetes sometime during their lifetime.
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
having diabetes can lead to serious health problems, such as heart
disease and stroke.
People with type 2 diabetes can 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.
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.
Media Contact: Michael Close
(310)
617-1067
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140813/135990
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SOURCE Merck