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Press Release

Chicago Bears Football Star Roberto Garza Teams with AHIP, LULAC, ADA on Bilingual Diabetes Education Campaign .

Campaign “Kicks Off” at League of United Latin American Citizens Annual Convention; With Proper Foot Care, Most of the 82,000 Amputations Due to Diabetes Each Year are Preventable.

July 12, 2007

Contact:
Robert Zirkelbach, AHIP, 202-778-8493
Lizette Jenness Olmos, LULAC, 202-365-4553
Jessica Kies, Chicago Bears, 847-739-5308
Angela Russo, ADA, 800-676-4065 (ext. 3425)
 

(Chicago, Illinois) – “Check Your Feet!” That’s the important advice millions of Americans with diabetes are about to get in television, radio, and print public service announcements (PSAs) created by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) in partnership with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The PSAs, featuring Roberto Garza, starting lineman for the Chicago Bears, will be distributed in English and Spanish, starting today in markets across the country.

Up to 85% of the 82,000 amputations associated with diabetes in the U.S. each year could be prevented with proper foot care. There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. More than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.

The campaign “kicked off” today at the annual LULAC convention in Chicago, where Garza will be recognized at a youth awards dinner this evening as a “Hero of the Heart.” Garza is a past Bears nominee for the National Football League’s prestigious “Walter Payton Man of the Year” award that considers a player’s contributions to the community as well as his on-field accomplishments, and he has been heavily involved in diabetes awareness for many years.

“For America’s health insurance plans, good health is our mission. And so we are proud to join Roberto Garza, LULAC, and ADA in a broad-based effort to encourage people with diabetes to get and practice proper foot care,” said AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni, who initiated the project. “We’re proud to be partners with like-minded organizations such as LULAC. Both AHIP and LULAC will be urging English and Spanish-language media outlets to broadcast this simple, important message to audiences all over the country,” she said.

Diabetes education is a top priority for AHIP, LULAC, and ADA, who are working together to publicize the fact that simple steps like removing your socks and shoes and having your doctor examine your feet on each visit can make the difference. This is the first time the three have joined forces.

The campaign is part of a broad collaboration between AHIP and LULAC that will include an ongoing focus on diabetes prevention and treatment in the Hispanic community. Approximately 10 percent of all Latinos – more than two million individuals – have diabetes, which is twice the rate as for non-Hispanic whites according to the American Diabetes Association and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

“LULAC has a long history advocating for patient education programs to continue raising the quality of life for all Latino families. We are very excited about our partnership with AHIP, ADA, and the Chicago Bears on a terrific public education campaign in the Hispanic community that creates greater awareness about diabetes prevention – a disease disproportionately affecting Hispanic families,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “Our campaign spokesperson, football star Roberto Garza, is a magnificent and inspiring role model to Latinos of all ages,” she said.

Garza’s commitment stems from family experience, including that of his grandfather, who lost two toes to the disease. Knowing that diabetes is more prevalent among Hispanic Americans, Garza was enthusiastic about launching the new campaign.

“I believe that if my grandfather had this information, it would have made a difference for him,” said Garza. “I want to use my position to help others avoid what happened in my family,” he said.

“We are excited to continue our relationship with AHIP, LULAC and Roberto Garza in educating the public about proper foot care and reducing the risk of amputations,” said ADA President, Medicine and Science, Larry Deeb, MD. “It has been the goal of ADA to educate the public across the country and we are proud to be a part of this initiative once again.”

AHIP and ADA work together on diabetes education programs that include a previous education campaign with Garza.

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America’s Health Insurance Plans represents nearly 1,300 member companies that provide health benefits to more than 200 million Americans. More information at www.AHIP.org.

The League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the U.S., advances the economic condition, educational attainment, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans of all nationality groups. It operates thought more than 700 LULAC councils throughout the country and has about 115,000 members. More information at www.LULAC.org.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the country, providing services to hundreds of communities. The mission of the Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, please visit www.diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Information is available in English and Spanish.

Roberto Garza has played for the Chicago Bears as starting offensive lineman since 2005. He was named a little-college All-America first-team selection and an All-Lone-Star Conference performer at center as a senior at Texas A&M Kingsville. He is a native of Rio Hondo, Texas.

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Check Your Feet!

What to do if you have diabetes

Wear roomy soft-soled shoes; always wear clean socks; do not go barefoot. Helps prevent infections.

Do not cross your legs when sitting. Keeps the blood flowing to your feet.

Use lotion (but not between your toe) to keep your skin soft and smooth. Helps prevent blisters and sores.

Properly care for your toenails. Ask your doctor for instructions.

Call your doctor if you notice blisters or sores, your feet change color or shape, or they just feel different. Treat problems early.

Take your shoes and socks off each time you visit your doctor. Make sure your physicians checks your feet at every visit.

CHECK YOUR FEET EVERY DAY

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