Novo Nordisk Partners with Minneapolis Community Groups to Support Diabetes Education Programs

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This evening, Novo Nordisk awarded sponsorships totaling $100,000 to 4 Minneapolis-based 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, which aims to promote enduring, sustainable change for people living with diabetes. The groups receiving sponsorships tonight represent diverse communities in Minneapolis and are working diligently to help improve patients' lives.

The Minneapolis organizations that received program sponsorships include:

• American Diabetes Association, Minneapolis-St. Paul Region: to sponsor the "Pathways to Better Health" Program kicking off at the October 15 Diabetes EXPO
• A Partnership of Diabetics (A-POD): to educate Phillips Community residents with type 2 diabetes about self-management strategies and provide weekly "Meet-Up" support groups
• HealthEast Foundation: to support their partnership with the St. Paul YMCA and St. Paul Diabetes Lion's Club program providing type 2 diabetes education to the uninsured population
• Open Cities Health Center: to support their "AccessPlus" program which provides comprehensive type 2 diabetes education, screening and health services to multicultural populations

"Novo Nordisk is proud to support these community programs because they have the potential to help stem the tide of diabetes in Minneapolis," 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."

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 Minneapolis. According to a recent study commissioned by Novo Nordisk and conducted by the Institute for Alternative Futures, in 2010, over 198,000 Minneapolis residents (6%) had diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes and 11.8% (23,270) of those had serious complications, such as visual impairment, renal failure, and leg amputation. The annual cost to the residents of Minneapolis for diabetes was $2 billion in 2010. Further, forecasts project that by 2025, more than 413,000 Minneapolis residents will have diabetes at a total cost of $4.1 billion. Statewide, nearly 10.4% of Minnesota residents are projected to have diabetes by 2025 at a cost of $6.4 billion.

In 2011, sponsorships have already been awarded in Philadelphia and will also be awarded in Atlanta and 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