Novo Nordisk Explores Why Fewer Than 12 Percent of Eligible Medicare Patients Use Free Diabetes Screening Benefit

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk Inc., a leader in diabetes care, explores how fewer than 12 percent of those eligible to use the free Medicare diabetes screening benefit are doing so, according to the most recently available Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services claims data. The benefit is available to adults age 65 and older who have at least one risk factor for diabetes. Efforts aimed at increasing awareness of the free Medicare diabetes screening benefit and importance of screening are examined in the Novo Nordisk BlueSheet.

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That those over the age of 60 with pre-diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes by as much as 71 percent through relatively modest lifestyle changes(1) underscores the need for education and awareness programs.

"Living with a chronic disease like diabetes is a challenge, which is why education and intervention are such important factors in successful long-term outcomes for patients," said Jerzy Gruhn, president of Novo Nordisk Inc. "At Novo Nordisk, we understand that coping with diabetes requires knowledge, skill and support. That is why we remain committed to the education of patients and health care professionals. We believe it is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against diabetes today."

The third issue of the Novo Nordisk BlueSheet examines various ways awareness and education play an integral role in the prevention, detection, and treatment of diabetes. It also provides an update on the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance, a coalition that is committed to helping improve diabetes prevention, detection, and care by aligning key diabetes stakeholders around diabetes-related policy and legislative efforts. To read the Novo Nordisk BlueSheet, go to:  http://press.novonordisk-us.com/bluesheet/.

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 87 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to social responsibility to employees and customers, environmental soundness and economic success. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 29,650 employees in 76 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchange in Copenhagen and its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NVO). For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com.

Footnote:

(1) Knowler, MD, William C., et al, Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group, "Reduction in the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes with Lifestyle Intervention or Metformin," New England Journal of Medicine, 346: 6, 393-403, February 7, 2002.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk Inc.