ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the American
Diabetes Association® (ADA) and CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) established
a new partnership to support families in helping to prevent and
manage diabetes, as well as fund research on the devastating health
disparities that fuel the diabetes epidemic. CVS Health has
committed $10 million over three
years to support people in their health journey of preventing and
managing diabetes with increased awareness, knowledge, and action
to improve health through Project Power. The ADA's Project Power
program aims to tear down barriers that limit access to vital
resources and empower participants to effectively prevent and
manage diabetes.
In addition, support will fund research to better understand and
address the unmet needs in underserved communities leading to the
future elimination of these disparities. CVS Health will also host
an in-store fundraising campaign at all CVS Pharmacy locations
nationwide during American Diabetes Month, now through November 27, to give customers an opportunity to
support the ADA to increase health equity and build a future
without diabetes.
"Health inequity is real—it directly fuels childhood obesity and
contributes to higher risk and worse outcomes for people with
diabetes, a reality that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19
pandemic," said Charles Henderson,
Chief of Development Officer of the American Diabetes Association.
"By funding much-needed research to help tear down systemic
barriers and providing critical resources, we can empower people of
color who live with diabetes to take control of their health and
live better, fuller lives."
The need for engagement and education on the problem of
childhood obesity has never been more urgent. New data from
the ADA shows that the incidence and acuity of type 2 diabetes in
children increased significantly, close to doubling, during the
peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. More pediatric patients were
hospitalized from March to December
2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
CVS Health's support will also fund needed research on the
causes of health disparities in our nation. The risk of being
diagnosed with diabetes among Black Americans is 77% higher when
compared to white Americans, data shows. It also estimates
that Black Americans spend two times more on health care than white
Americans—a disparity that amplifies the burden of additional
medical expenses all people with diabetes take on. Amid COVID-19,
these imbalances have been exasperated, with 50% of low-income
Americans with diabetes having lost some or all income during
the pandemic.
"Over the past 18 months, we've seen COVID-19 bring health
disparities to the forefront, shedding additional light on the
barriers to care that families across the country face every day,"
said Eileen Howard Boone, Senior
Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy
for CVS Health, and President of the CVS Health Foundation.
"Through our partnership with the American Diabetes Association,
we'll help increase access to health care for high-risk and
vulnerable populations and provide them with the educational
resources they need to stay healthy."
A primary focus of Project Power will be to encourage Americans
to take control of their diabetes and to raise awareness among the
88 million adults living with prediabetes through risk
tests and health screenings.
To learn more about the partnership and to access diabetes
resources, visit cvs.com/diabetes.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American
Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation's leading voluntary health
organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic
and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 81 years the ADA
has driven discovery and research to treat, manage, and prevent
diabetes while working relentlessly for a cure. Through advocacy,
program development, and education we aim to improve the quality of
life for the nearly 122 million Americans living with diabetes or
prediabetes. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will
make us Connected for Life. To learn more or to get involved, visit
us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES
(1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American
Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la
Diabetes), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram
(@AmDiabetesAssn).
About CVS Health
CVS Health is the leading health
solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach
more people and improve the health of communities across America
through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000
dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000 physicians,
pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever
people need us, we help them with their health – whether that's
managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their
medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness services
in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health
care system – and their personal health care – by improving access,
lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful
moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day.
Learn more at www.cvshealth.com.
# # #
Contacts: Sabrena Pringle,
703-253-4807
press@diabetes.org
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/10-million-commitment-made-to-the-american-diabetes-association-by-cvs-health-to-reach-five-million-patients-and-transform-health-outcomes-301413553.html
SOURCE American Diabetes Association