Correction: The previous version of this release did not contain a subject line in the email. We apologize for any inconvenience. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) http://www.niddk.nih.gov/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 CONTACT: Joanne Gallivan, NDEP Director, 301-496-3583, joanne.gallivan@xxxxxxx THE NATIONAL DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPPORTS TAKE A LOVED ONE FOR A CHECKUP DAY WHAT: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) supports the HHS-sponsored Take a Loved One for a Checkup Day -- September 20, 2005 -- a part of a national campaign by HHS that focuses on the health gap between racial and ethnic minorities and the general population. NDEP encourages the public to support loved ones living with diabetes by working with them to practice a healthy lifestyle and encourage them to get regular checkups. WHY: 18.2 million Americans, or 6.3 percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes. It is important that they eat right, stay active, and take their medication so they can reduce their risk of complications associated with diabetes, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and blindness. People with diabetes need to keep their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control through regular checkups with their health care team. With the active support of their loved ones, people with diabetes can live longer, healthier lives. WHO: James R. Gavin III, M.D., Ph.D., chair, National Diabetes Education Program Alfred Dimps, husband and supportive loved one of Linda Rooks-Dimps, diagnosed with diabetes in 1997 WHEN: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 OTHER RESOURCES: See www.ndep.nih.gov or call contact listed above for NDEP's "Tips for Helping a Person with Diabetes," developed in partnership with the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Call contact above to schedule interviews The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- "The Nation's Medical Research Agency" -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov. ## This NIH News Release is available online at: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/sep2005/niddk-20.htm. To subscribe (or unsubscribe) from this list, go to http://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=nihpress&A=1.
