Diabetes Hands Foundation Advocates Debate Social Media in Diabetes Care at Diabetes Innovations 2013

BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The Diabetes Hands Foundation will join the debate on the role of social media in diabetes care at the Joslin Diabetes Center's Diabetes Innovation 2013 conference, October 3-5 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington DC. Three members of the Diabetes Advocates, a program of the Diabetes Hands Foundation, will present their views on the value of peer–to-peer social networks in supporting and empowering people living with diabetes.

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"We believe that connecting with others living with and caring for people with diabetes provides emotional support that goes hand-in-hand with the directions given by a healthcare provider," said Manny Hernandez, president of the Diabetes Hands Foundation. 

Debate: Social Networking and Diabetes – Does the Research Match with Reality?,  continues a discussion sparked by a National Public Radio story on the effect of social media in diabetes patient care. In that story Dr. Jason Bronner, MD, associate clinical professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine is quoted saying, "There's no proof in diabetes that social networking is helpful." Over a hundred members of the diabetes patient community signed an open letter to NPR disagreeing. 

While the medical community considers a need for evidence for large scale studies, patient use of social media continues to grow rapidly. Research by the Pew Internet and American Life Project shows that "80% of  internet users gather health information online." 

"Becoming familiar with trustworthy websites that they can recommend to patients as resources is one of the most valuable things a medical professional can do to empower patients beyond the time they spend together," asserts Mr. Hernandez.

The debate panel is made up of a cross section of diabetes advocates, patients, and medical professionals. 

Both Dr. Bronner and Mr. Hernandez will participate as part of this debate panel. They will be joined by diabetes advocates Christina Roth, chief executive officer and founder of the College Diabetes Network, Amy Tenderich, founder and chief executive officer of Diabetes Mine.  Also on the panel will be Susannah Fox, associate director at Pew Research Center's Internet & American, and Hadley George, founder of Type One Teens and a freshman at Mariemont High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Larry Weber, chief executive officer and chairman of the W2 Group will moderate the debate

About Diabetes Hands Foundation
Diabetes Hands Foundation (www.DiabetesHandsFoundation.org) seeks to bring together people touched by diabetes for positive change so that nobody living with this condition ever feels alone. Its Diabetes Advocates program connects advocates dedicated to improving the lives of people living with diabetes.

Facebook:             www.facebook.com/diabetesHF
Twitter:                 @DiabetesHF
YouTube:              www.youtube.com/diabeteshands

About the Diabetes Advocates 
The Diabetes Advocates (www.DiabetesAdvocates.org), a program of the Diabetes Hands Foundation, brings together champions dedicated to improving the lives of people living with diabetes in order to accelerate and amplify their efforts. It serves as a platform for connecting individuals and organizations that have taken a leadership role in improving the world for people touched by diabetes.  Through its website, www.DiabetesAdvocates.org, Diabetes Advocates and its members engage in supportive conversations with both patients and medical professionals. Some of the topics discussed include: Eating Disorders and Diabetes; Diabetes and Pregnancy; Air Travel with Diabetes; Grandparenting T1D Kids. 

About Joslin Diabetes Center
Joslin Diabetes Center, based in Boston, Massachusetts, undertakes diabetes research, clinical care, education and health and wellness programs on a global scale. Joslin is dedicated to ensuring that people with diabetes live long, healthy lives and offers real progress in preventing and curing diabetes  Joslin is an independent, nonprofit institution affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and is recognized worldwide for driving innovative solutions in diabetes prevention, research, education, and care.
Our mission is to prevent, treat and cure diabetes.  Our vision is a world free of diabetes and its complications. For more information, visit www.joslin.org.

Media Contact: Manny Hernandez, The Diabetes Hands Foundation, 650-2834862, manny@diabeteshf.org

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SOURCE Diabetes Hands Foundation

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