Novo Nordisk and Atlanta Area Organizations Partner on Diabetes Education Programs

ATLANTA, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This evening, Novo Nordisk awarded sponsorships totaling $80,000 to 4 metro Atlanta community organizations to support programs that educate people living with type 2 diabetes on how to better manage their diabetes and reduce the risk of long-term diabetes related complications. The sponsorships are part of the Novo Nordisk Community Care program – a new initiative that aims to promote enduring, sustainable change for people living with diabetes. The groups being honored tonight reach a range of diverse communities in Atlanta and will work diligently to improve patients' lives.  

The Atlanta organizations that received program sponsorships include:

• The Center Helping Obesity in Children End Successfully, Inc. (C.H.O.I.C.E.S.): to conduct a series of "Living Better with Diabetes" workshops and appearances at local health fairs.
• Diabetes Association of Atlanta: to extend their Faith in Action program, which includes: 1. a series of diabetes self management education (DSME) workshops for diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients at faith based organizations, 2. a "Train the Trainers" program and 3.  "Survival Skills Booster Sessions," for persons not enrolled in DSME classes
• Kennesaw State University: to expand Project IDEAL, which will educate new Community Health Workers associated with two Latino and three African-American faith based organizations
• Georgia Diabetes Coalition: to provides screenings and seminars to diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients

"In Atlanta, we know it is better to give a hand up, rather than a handout.  I congratulate the organizations dedicated to making real change and thank Novo Nordisk for helping make it happen," said Nazeera Dawood, Health Promotion Program Manager, Fulton County Department of Health & Wellness. "Only by working together can we reach at-risk populations to improve the management of diabetes in our city."

Novo Nordisk will work with each group to create and promote programs that use a variety of hands-on education and intervention techniques to reach diabetes patients in Atlanta. According to a recent study commissioned by Novo Nordisk and conducted by the Institute for Alternative Futures, in 2010, 765,300 Atlanta residents (13.6%) had diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes and 11.8% (90,050) of those had serious complications, such as visual impairment, renal failure, and leg amputation. The annual cost to the residents of Atlanta for diabetes was $6.8 billion in 2010. Further, forecasts project that by 2025, more than 1.3 million Atlanta residents will have diabetes at a total cost of $12.5 billion. Statewide, nearly 17.9% of Georgia residents are projected to have diabetes by 2025 at a cost of $19.5 billion.

"Novo Nordisk is proud to support community-based type 2 diabetes programs in Atlanta because they have the potential to help stem the tide of diabetes," said Lori Moore, Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Novo Nordisk. "Novo Nordisk brings innovative treatments and devices to the diabetes community, but as an industry leader, we also have the opportunity and responsibility to provide resources to local organizations whose deep understanding of their constituency's needs can make a significant impact on the way patients manage their disease. We very much look forward to seeing the programs roll out and make a difference in the communities they serve."

In 2011, sponsorships have already been awarded in Philadelphia and Minneapolis and will also be awarded in Boston to inspire similar grassroots education programs. For more information about Novo Nordisk Community Care and to find local event listings and resources for people living with diabetes, go to NovoNordiskCommunityCare.com

About Novo Nordisk

Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 88 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk