KENILWORTH, N.J., Oct. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck (NYSE: MRK),
known as MSD outside the United
States and Canada, the
American Diabetes Association and actress S. Epatha Merkerson are bringing America's
Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your Goals to New Orleans. The program is designed to help
African Americans with type 2 diabetes work with their doctor to
set and reach their A1C goal. A1C is a person's average blood
glucose level over the past 2 to 3 months. The program also
encourages African Americans to learn if they are at risk of low
blood glucose and how to help reduce that risk.
In Louisiana, nearly 11 percent
of the adult population has been diagnosed with diabetes and
African Americans are also more likely than other ethnic groups to
experience serious long-term health problems over time from the
disease. During her visit to New
Orleans, Merkerson will attend the Association's Live
Empowered event at the Redemption Restaurant on Oct. 9 to share her story and to help people
living with diabetes learn about the importance of working with
their doctor to establish their own A1C goal and develop a
personalized diabetes management plan.
About one-third of adults living with diabetes are not at their
A1C goal. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people
with diabetes have an individualized A1C goal, which for many
adults is less than 7 percent. Other people with diabetes may
have a higher or lower A1C goal, so it is important to talk to your
doctor about the goal that's right for you. People with
diabetes should understand why blood glucose can sometimes go too
low, known as hypoglycemia. Low blood glucose can
make people feel shaky, dizzy, sweaty, and sometimes faint. If left
untreated, low blood glucose may lead to a seizure or loss of
consciousness.
"I lost my father and grandmother to complications of type 2
diabetes, so I understand that high blood sugar levels over time
can lead to serious health problems," says Merkerson. "I've also
learned that it's important to understand why blood sugar can
sometimes go too low. I'm excited to partner with Merck and the
American Diabetes Association on America's Diabetes
Challenge to raise awareness about proper blood sugar
management."
Merkerson was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2003 after
having her blood glucose tested at a health fair event and being
urged to see her doctor. Despite a family history of the disease,
Merkerson was unaware she had type 2 diabetes. After her diagnosis,
Merkerson became serious about her health and worked with her
doctor to establish her own A1C goal and develop a personalized
diabetes management plan, which included diet, exercise and
medication, to help her achieve her A1C goal. By sticking to that
plan—and making changes with her doctor when necessary—Merkerson
has kept her blood glucose under control.
"Achieving blood glucose control can be challenging for
many people with type 2 diabetes. That's why America's Diabetes
Challenge offers tools to help patients manage both high
and low blood glucose," says Dr. Robin S. Goland, M.D., Co-Director; Naomi Berrie
Diabetes Center at Columbia University
Medical Center. "Some diabetes medications can cause low blood
glucose, particularly if patients skip meals, change their diet, or
increase their exercise, so it's important that you work with your
doctor to determine if you're at risk for low blood glucose and how
to help reduce that risk."
Diabetes is a significant concern in the African-American
community, as approximately 13 percent of all African-American
adults have been diagnosed with the disease. In fact, diabetes is
the fifth leading cause of death in the African-American
community.
"Recognizing that African Americans are at a higher risk for
developing type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association has
created specific programming and resources to help them reach their
treatment goals," said Treva
Lincoln, Community Outreach Manager, New Orleans Chapter,
American Diabetes Association. "Both the American Diabetes
Association and Merck share a similar commitment to educating
at-risk populations, and we're thrilled to include America's
Diabetes Challenge in our New Orleans Live Empowered event to
help the local community learn about the importance of being
proactive in their diabetes management."
For more information about Merkerson's story and America's
Diabetes Challenge, visit www.AmericasDiabetesChallenge.com.
You can also join the America's Diabetes Challenge community
by visiting Facebook.com/AmericasDiabetesChallenge.
About S. Epatha
Merkerson
S. Epatha
Merkerson is a celebrated film, stage and television actress
known for her long-running role as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren in the television series Law
& Order. Merkerson has won multiple awards, including an
Emmy, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and NAACP Image Award for
her work in Lackawanna Blues. Merkerson has also been
nominated twice for a Tony Award and recently performed in the
New York premiere of While I
Yet Live, by Kinky Boots star Billy Porter. After working many years together
on Law and Order, Ms. Merkerson is now reuniting with
Executive Producer Dick Wolf on his new NBC series Chicago
Med, premiering in November
2015.
About America's Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your
Goals
America's Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your
Goals is an educational program from Merck and the American
Diabetes Association urging people with type 2 diabetes to work
with their doctor to set and reach their individual A1C goal. The
program also helps people with type 2 diabetes learn if they are at
risk of low blood glucose and how to help reduce that risk. As part
of Merck's partnership with the American Diabetes Association, and
to further support the millions of Americans living with type 2
diabetes, America's Diabetes Challenge will be featured at
American Diabetes Association EXPOs and Live Empowered and Feria de
Salud events throughout the U.S. For more information about
America's Diabetes Challenge, to make the pledge to work
with your doctor to set and reach your own A1C goal or challenge
loved ones to do the same, visit www.AmericasDiabetesChallenge.com.
You can also join the America's Diabetes Challenge community
by visiting Facebook.com/AmericasDiabetesChallenge.
About Type 2 Diabetes
Nearly 30 million Americans
have diabetes, and 90% to 95% of these people have type 2 diabetes.
When someone has type 2 diabetes, the body does not make enough
insulin and/or the insulin that the body makes does not work
properly. This causes blood glucose levels to become too high, and
the body may also keep making glucose even though it does not need
it. Once a person has type 2 diabetes, it does not go away, and
high blood glucose levels over time can lead to serious health
problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American
Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its
consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The
Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes;
delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective
and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their
rights because of diabetes. For the past 75 years, our mission has
been to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all
people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the
American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or
visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is
available in English and Spanish.
About Merck
Today's Merck is a global health care
leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD
outside the United States and
Canada. Through our prescription
medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health
products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140
countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also
demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care
through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more
information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter,
Facebook and YouTube.
Media
Contacts:
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Megan Wilkinson
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Investor Contacts:
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Teri Loxam
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Merck
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Merck
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267-305-6463
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908-740-1986
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Treva
Lincoln
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Justin Holko
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American Diabetes
Association
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Merck
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888-342-2383 ext.
6074
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908-740-1879
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SOURCE Merck; American Diabetes Association