Secretary Announces Plan to Fight Diabetes, Highlights Efforts to Promote Prevention
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004
HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
Secretary Announces Plan to Fight Diabetes, Highlights Efforts to Promote PreventionHHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced Diabetes: A National Plan for Action during a town hall meeting at the National Press Club. This plan is a step-by-step guide to activities and resources against a disease that affects more than 18 million Americans.
“This action plan provides specific steps that everyone can take to fight diabetes,” Secretary Thompson said. “The most effective way to bring this problem under control is for government, business, health care providers, schools, communities and the media, as well as people with diabetes and their families to work together.”
The diabetes action plan focuses on specific, attainable action steps. For instance, goals for individuals include reducing fat consumption, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and getting screened for diabetes. Businesses can provide healthy food in vending machines and cafeterias, and turn some conference space into exercise rooms. Civic groups can create community gardens and install distance markers on sidewalks to encourage walking for health. Government agencies can develop evidence-based strategies to prevent, detect and treat diabetes as well as programs to implement them, such as Medicare coverage for diabetes screening, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2005.
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