Randy Jackson and the American Heart Association Encourage People to 'Get In The K.N.O.W.' About Improving Type 2 Diabetes Management

Randy Jackson and the American Heart Association Encourage People to 'Get In The K.N.O.W.' About Improving Type 2 Diabetes Management

The Heart of Diabetes Program Launches Web site and Interactive Tools to Help People with Type 2 Diabetes Better Manage the Disease

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Randy Jackson, music industry veteran and TV personality, understands the importance of properly managing type 2 diabetes. For the second year, he has teamed up with the American Heart Association to encourage people with type 2 diabetes to enroll in The Heart of Diabetes(TM) campaign. Sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., the campaign provides educational information and tools for people with type 2 diabetes to better manage their disease.

As one who has lived with type 2 diabetes for years, Jackson will travel throughout the United States (U.S.) to urge the more than 21 million adults with diabetes to work with their healthcare providers, develop a comprehensive plan to achieve their treatment goals and ultimately improve their management of type 2 diabetes. Only 7.3 percent of those who have the disease achieve blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol treatment goals.

"I know first hand the impact this difficult disease can have on someone's life," Jackson said. "That's why I'm encouraging folks to log onto IKnowDiabetes.org and enroll in The Heart of Diabetes program. When they enroll, they will learn more about how I personally manage type 2 diabetes and get some great educational information and tools to help them manage their disease more successfully."

For the past seven years, The Heart of Diabetes campaign has educated the public about the connection between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death for those with type 2 diabetes. In fact, at least 65 percent of deaths among people with type 2 diabetes are due to CVD, such as heart attack or stroke.

"People with type 2 diabetes may feel overwhelmed by the many lifestyle changes they need to make in order to effectively manage the disease," noted Daniel W. Jones, M.D., immediate-past president, American Heart Association. "The aim of The Heart of Diabetes program is to offer people easy-to-follow information and advice for how to best work with their healthcare provider to establish a treatment plan and get one step closer to achieving their own individual treatment goals."

Through the campaign's Web site, IKnowDiabetes.org, Jackson and Dr. Jones share more information and tips, which can be incorporated into a treatment plan and help people with type 2 diabetes achieve blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol treatment goals. The Web site features questions to ask healthcare providers, patients' success stories and many tips, including the following, to help people living with type 2 diabetes stay in the "KNOW":

Tips available on IKnowDiabetes.org include:
-- Keep active and maintain a healthy body weight.
-- Normalize your critical health numbers.
-- Opt for a healthy lifestyle.
-- Work with a healthcare provider.

"These tips and other information available on IKnowDiabetes.org will help people stay in the know and go for -- and get to -- their goals," commented Jackson. "I hope The Heart of Diabetes campaign will help those with the disease stay motivated to get regular physical activity, make healthy food choices and work with a healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan so that they can lead a happier, healthier life."

Visit IKnowDiabetes.org to enroll in The Heart of Diabetes program.

The American Heart Association's The Heart of Diabetes(TM) campaign is supported by an educational grant from Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.

Type 2 Diabetes Statistics
-- Approximately 21 million Americans live with diabetes;
-- 90 to 95 percent of them have type 2 diabetes.
-- 30 percent are unaware they have the disease.
-- Each year, approximately 1.5 million Americans over the age of 20 are
diagnosed with diabetes.
-- The number of Americans with diagnosed diabetes is projected to
increase 165 percent, from 11 million in 2000 (prevalence of 4.0
percent) to 29 million in 2050 (prevalence of 7.2 percent).
-- Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.
-- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) -- a term used to describe diseases that
affect the heart or blood vessels, such as heart attack or stroke --
is the leading cause of death for those with type 2 diabetes.
-- At least 65 percent of deaths among people with type 2 diabetes
are due to CVD.

About the American Heart Association

Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim over 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2005-06 the association invested over $543 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.

Source: American Heart Association

CONTACT: Megan Lozito of American Heart Association, +1-214-706-1359; or
Amy Losak of Ketchum, +1-646-935-3917

Web Site: http://americanheart.org/
http://iknowdiabetes.org/

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