To assist local businesses and child care facilities provide proactive environments for better health,
nutrition and physical activity for their employees and children in their care, Knox County Health
Department has awarded 41 community mini-grants.

The grants are part of KCHD’s Comprehensive Approach to Reducing Diabetes (CARD) grant from the Tennessee Department of Health and encompass several programs aimed at stemming the diabetes epidemic in Knox County. Eleven
businesses accepted $1,500 grants to help defray start-up costs and equipment for developing and
implementing worksite wellness programs for their employees. Thirty child care facilities were
awarded $600 grants to help improve nutrition and physical activity for their charges. 

“With our challenging economic times, these mini-grants provide local businesses and child care
centers the much-needed resources to implement creative programs to encourage healthy eating and
more physical activity,” said Dr. Martha Buchanan, Knox County Health Department director. “These
programs have the potential to impact thousands of Knox County residents by reducing risk factors
that contribute to developing diabetes and other serious illnesses during a person’s lifetime.”

Below is a listing of grant recipients and brief descriptions of the planned projects. 

Mini-Grant recipients* Project Description

Boys & Girls Clubs of Tennessee Valley Zumba classes at all club sites, physical activity equipment
City of Knoxville Fitness equipment and quarterly nutrition classes
CUPA-HR Fitness DVDs and pedometers
Habitat for Humanity Fitness center with equipment
Kids at Play, Inc. Pedometer/weight loss challenge, fitness videos, Fun Time Gym
Bus Classes, veggie garden installation
Knoxville Christian School Vegetable garden installation; buy and plant trees
Knoxville Convention Center Fitness equipment and lunch-and-learn classes
Rock Tenn Healthy vending and healthy snacks policy
TeamHealth Nutrition education about USDA's MyPlate
UT Medical Center Healthy worksite challenge: nutrition and fitness
YWCA Fitness equipment, fitness challenge and wellness committee
Tate's Totz and Teens (two locations) Physical activity equipment

West End Academy Physical activity equipment
SHADES of Development (eight locations) Cooking activities; equipment for a circuit training and cardio
program, nutrition materials; yoga classes; provide healthy
snacks; implement aerobics classes and other physical activities;
family fit nights
My Sister’s House Child Development Center Will rebuild their playground as a “natural playscape” inspired by
local environment. A natural playscape includes: natural hills to
climb, logs to jump from, and natural beams to balance on; tree
house, sand/dirt/grave areas for digging and building in; outdoor
shelving area; garden area for veggies. Children will compost
paper towels, etc.  
Church Street United Methodist Church Cooking class for parents, to promote well-balanced, healthy and
affordable meals
Starting Point School Physical activity equipment
Knoxville Montessori School Vegetable garden and strawberry patch installation
Cedar Bluff Playschool Physical activity equipment
Tennova Child Development Center Nutrition education for children, physical activity equipment
Christus Victor ECD Physical activity equipment; fruit and vegetable samples
My Village Child Development Center Physical activity equipment; cooking classes
Arnstein Jewish Community Center
Preschool Four Family Fun Sundays for family education through active play days
Farragut Church of Christ Provide healthy snacks for children
Trinity Child Development Center Create an outdoor classroom- organic vegetable garden and
composting site; build bird houses
Fifth Avenue Child Care Physical activity equipment
Riverside Child Care Vegetable garden installation
Knoxville Center for Early Education Vegetable garden installation
Central Baptist Church- Bearden Physical activity equipment
West Emory Child Enrichment Center Vegetable garden installation
Abundant Love Childcare Vegetable garden installation
*List does not total 41 because some received multiple grants or grants for different locations within
the same business.

According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 17.9 million people
nationally diagnosed with diabetes and an estimated 5.7 million people who have the disease but are
undiagnosed.  If current trends continue, one out of three U.S. adults will have diabetes by 2050. In
Tennessee, the percentage of adults with diabetes almost doubled between 1996 and 2005, from 5 to
9.1 percent and Tennessee had the sixth highest percentage of diabetic adults compared to all other
states. In Knox County, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of premature death in 2005. In 2008,
9.5 percent of Knox County adults reported they have been diagnosed with diabetes. This estimate
does not include pre-diabetes or borderline diabetes. The estimate for 2002 was 7.1 percent and in
2005, it was 8.2 percent (Knox County Behavior Risk Factor Survey, 2002, 2005, 2008). 

Knox County Health Department’s initiatives through the CARD Program directly address reducing
diabetes rates and include programs such as the tri-yearly diabetes management class series;
community-wide walking programs; the Nutrition Education Activity Training (NEAT) after school
program; the mini-grants; a walking school bus pilot project and an Eat Play Live Conference planned
for March 2012.

(ARA) - Americans are taking a closer look at their own personal health and assessing changes they can make, as the topic of health care remains front and center. More and more, people are paying attention to the cost of prevention and care for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, as they have a high risk for health complications.

Diabetes now affects nearly 24 million people in the United States, an increase of more than 3 million in approximately two years, according to 2007 prevalence data estimates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If not controlled, diabetes in particular can lead to serious health complications including heart disease, blindness and kidney failure. That's why it is extremely important to manage the disease on a daily basis.

To stay healthy and avoid potential consequences, people with diabetes can take steps every day to manage the disease. In addition to eating a balanced diet and exercising, this also involves monitoring blood glucose levels each day and seeing their physician regularly to check in and monitor their A1C levels - a test that provides a two to three month indication of average of blood glucose.

Fortunately, medical advances have made it easier for people with chronic illnesses, like diabetes, to closely monitor their health and better manage the disease, along with their healthcare providers. For example, years ago, people with diabetes relied on laboratory obtained tests to get a clinical measure of their A1C levels - a process that required a wait time.

Now patients can, for the first time, test their A1C at-home and get results within five minutes with Bayer's A1CNow(R) SELFCHECK in between regularly scheduled doctor visits. This allows them to take a more active role in their diabetes over the long term, like modifying their diet and exercise, and have an informed discussion with their healthcare provider based on the results.

By working with their doctors on appropriate disease management, patients may see a reduction of their A1C level and subsequently reduce their risk for complications associated with diabetes. A 1 percent point reduction in A1C can reduce the risk of serious complications by 40 percent.

The A1CNow SELFCHECK allows patients to further participate in their diabetes care by monitoring their A1C levels in between physician visits. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends performing an A1C test at least two times a year in patients who are meeting treatment goals and have stable glycemic control. The ADA recommends quarterly testing (four times a year) for patients whose therapy has changed or are not meeting glycemic goals.

Clinical research and advancements in technology are helping people with diabetes manage the chronic condition to achieve long-term success until a cure for the disease is found. People with diabetes are encouraged to visit www.SimpleWins.com for more information on the tools and resources that can help them properly manage the disease and invest in their health.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - It's a long drive out to the rural diabetes clinic where she makes her educational presentations, but Janie Burmester knows that the work she's doing can have a huge impact on people's lives. Burmester is one of about 15,000 Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) in the United States. CDEs are health professionals, certified by the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators, who teach self-management techniques to patients diagnosed with diabetes.

With nearly 24 million Americans currently living with diabetes, the need for diabetes education has never been greater, so a special program called the CDE HELP Team is providing free counseling and support to people who need a helping hand with their diabetes. The CDE HELP Team was created by sanofi-aventis U.S., a world leader in diabetes care, to help people with diabetes. 

"An overall diabetes treatment plan includes diet, exercise and diabetes medications, which may include insulin. Insulin can be a powerful tool to help manage blood sugar levels. For patients starting on insulin, the first months of therapy are critical for learning about how to take their insulin and working with their treating health care provider to determine the dose that is right for them," says Burmester. "The CDE HELP team is designed to provide extra support for people with diabetes during this time."

Since the program began, the CDE HELP Team has educated more than 100,000 patients with diabetes. Currently, 70 CDE HELP Team members are available in cities across the United States. Recently, Burmester's efforts have expanded to include outreach to nursing homes and other small clinics in the area.

While grassroots educators can have a major impact in local communities, broader national trends indicate that there is still much more work to be done in improving care for people with diabetes.  In fact, about 40 percent of diagnosed diabetes patients in America are not achieving the general blood sugar control target of A1C less than 7 percent recommended by the American Diabetes Association.

"The A1C test measures average blood glucose levels over the past two- to three-month period - it's a crucial test that everyone living with diabetes should be aware of, but many don't fully understand what it means," says Burmester. "I often tell the patients I work with that improving their A1C scores can make a positive impact on lowering their risk for developing diabetes-related complications like blindness and amputation."

Innovations like continuous blood sugar monitors and insulin pen delivery devices have made managing diabetes easier, but the health care system has struggled to keep up with what is rapidly becoming a global diabetes crisis. Experts predict that the number of people living with diabetes could rise to a staggering 350 million within 20 years.

"We won't be able to turn around these statistics in a day, but with the help of the CDE HELP Team, we can make a difference at the grassroots level," says Burmester.

Additional information about the CDE HELP Team, including a search tool that helps identify local CDEs in your area, can be found at: www.cdehelpteam.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - In an age of social media and reality shows, it seems that people are more open than ever to discuss personal issues. Yet one important issue - domestic violence, which touches more than 70 percent of Americans, is often talked about behind closed doors or never discussed at all.

To break the silence, Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino is joining forces with The Allstate Foundation to encourage Americans to Tell a Gal P.A.L. to talk for a change about domestic violence.

The Tell a Gal P.A.L. campaign was designed to help Americans Pass it On, Act and Learn (P.A.L.) to start the conversation:

Pass It On - Talk freely about domestic violence to break the taboo. Tell others that economic abuse is a part of domestic violence.

Act - Never underestimate how small acts, like listening, can make a big difference.

Learn - Empower yourself with knowledge and resources available to help yourself, or someone you know, out of an abusive relationship.

"From my volunteer work helping women who have been victimized to my selection of movie roles, I'm committed to raising awareness about this issue," says Sorvino, who portrays a battered woman in an upcoming movie drama scheduled for release in 2010. "I joined The Allstate Foundation's Tell a Gal P.A.L. campaign because I believe it's imperative that we work together to empower women to speak up and find the help they need to free themselves from abuse."

Visitors to The Allstate Foundation Web site, ClickToEmpower.org, can share personal stories about how they or someone they know overcame abuse, or even how they served as a gal pal to a friend in need. The stories aim to serve as inspiration to learn about domestic violence, continue the conversation with others, or provide encouragement to take the first step out the door. Other ways to Tell a Gal P.A.L. about domestic violence are available on the Web site through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

As part of the Tell a Gal P.A.L. campaign, The Allstate Foundation continues its efforts to shed light on a hidden aspect of domestic violence economic abuse, which occurs when abusers control victims' finances in an effort to prevent them from leaving. A recent national poll released by The Allstate Foundation found that nearly eight out of 10 Americans link the term economic abuse to Wall Street woes or irresponsible spending instead of control tactics such as ruining a partner's credit score on purpose.
 
"We are helping survivors who often find themselves with limited means for daily survival, let alone the means to get back into the workforce and attain financial security," says Jennifer Kuhn, Economics Against Abuse program manager, The Allstate Foundation. "As a Fortune 100 company, we see an opportunity to leverage our financial services expertise to impact survivors of economic abuse."

The Allstate Foundation, in partnership with the National Network to End Domestic Violence, recently developed a Financial Empowerment Curriculum to help victims achieve financial independence. It includes financial tools and information designed to enable survivors of domestic abuse to fully understand their financial circumstances, as well as engage in short-term and long-term planning (e.g., budgeting tools, step-by-step planners, tips, etc.) to accomplish their personal goals.

More information on Tell a Gal P.A.L. and the Financial Empowerment Curriculum is available at www.ClickToEmpower.org. Domestic violence survivors in need of immediate assistance are encouraged to call The National Domestic Violence Hotline, (800) 799-SAFE (800-799-7233).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - It's a disease so common it strikes every 20 seconds, yet Americans earn a failing grade when it comes to basic knowledge about diabetes, according to a recent Harris Interactive survey conducted on behalf of the American Diabetes Association.

The Association has launched a new initiative, "Stop Diabetes," in an effort to better educate the public on the physical, emotional and economic toll of the disease. Americans earned a 51 percent passing grade when asked a series of questions about diabetes, according to the Harris survey. The results showed that several diabetes myths and misconceptions are common and that diabetes remains a misunderstood disease.

Myth: Diabetes is not a serious disease.

When asked to rank which disease (diabetes, breast cancer, AIDS) was responsible for the greatest number of U.S. deaths each year, not even half the respondents chose diabetes (42 percent).

Fact: Diabetes causes more deaths per year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

Myth: Eating too much sugar can lead to diabetes.

According to the survey, approximately one third of respondents knew this myth was false (32 percent).

Fact: No, it cannot. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories, whether from sugar or from fat, can contribute to weight gain. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy meal plan and exercising regularly are recommended to manage your weight.

Myth: If you are overweight or obese, you will eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

According to the survey, approximately three in five respondents did not know that this is a false statement. In addition, more than half of respondents did not know that risk for developing type 2 diabetes increases with age.

Fact: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing the disease, but other risk factors, such as family history, ethnicity and age also play a role. Unfortunately, too many people disregard the other risk factors for diabetes and think that weight is the only risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Most overweight people never develop type 2 diabetes, and many people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight or only moderately overweight.

The Stop Diabetes movement aims to educate people about the seriousness of the disease and to stop its spread bringing those affected by it together to share their stories, raise awareness, and support fundraising efforts.

"We hear stories every day about the tragic toll diabetes takes in every corner of our society," says registered dietician Sue McLaughlin, CDE, president of health care and education for the Association. "Stop Diabetes is a wake up call for the nation. Diabetes kills more people than breast cancer and AIDS combined."

"One in three children born today will develop diabetes if this trend continues," she says. "Rather than let these facts scare us into denial and apathy, all Americans need to take a stand to stop diabetes by learning their risks and how they can prevent or manage this serious disease."

To join the Stop Diabetes movement, visit stopdiabetes.com or call the Association's National Call Center at (800) DIABETES (800-342-2383).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - It's a disease so common it strikes every 20 seconds, yet Americans earn a failing grade when it comes to basic knowledge about diabetes, according to a recent Harris Interactive survey conducted on behalf of the American Diabetes Association.

The Association has launched a new initiative, "Stop Diabetes," in an effort to better educate the public on the physical, emotional and economic toll of the disease. Americans earned a 51 percent passing grade when asked a series of questions about diabetes, according to the Harris survey. The results showed that several diabetes myths and misconceptions are common and that diabetes remains a misunderstood disease.

Myth: Diabetes is not a serious disease.

When asked to rank which disease (diabetes, breast cancer, AIDS) was responsible for the greatest number of U.S. deaths each year, not even half the respondents chose diabetes (42 percent).

Fact: Diabetes causes more deaths per year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

Myth: Eating too much sugar can lead to diabetes.

According to the survey, approximately one third of respondents knew this myth was false (32 percent).

Fact: No, it cannot. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories, whether from sugar or from fat, can contribute to weight gain. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy meal plan and exercising regularly are recommended to manage your weight.

Myth: If you are overweight or obese, you will eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

According to the survey, approximately three in five respondents did not know that this is a false statement. In addition, more than half of respondents did not know that risk for developing type 2 diabetes increases with age.

Fact: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing the disease, but other risk factors, such as family history, ethnicity and age also play a role. Unfortunately, too many people disregard the other risk factors for diabetes and think that weight is the only risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Most overweight people never develop type 2 diabetes, and many people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight or only moderately overweight.

The Stop Diabetes movement aims to educate people about the seriousness of the disease and to stop its spread bringing those affected by it together to share their stories, raise awareness, and support fundraising efforts.

"We hear stories every day about the tragic toll diabetes takes in every corner of our society," says registered dietician Sue McLaughlin, CDE, president of health care and education for the Association. "Stop Diabetes is a wake up call for the nation. Diabetes kills more people than breast cancer and AIDS combined."

"One in three children born today will develop diabetes if this trend continues," she says. "Rather than let these facts scare us into denial and apathy, all Americans need to take a stand to stop diabetes by learning their risks and how they can prevent or manage this serious disease."

To join the Stop Diabetes movement, visit stopdiabetes.com or call the Association's National Call Center at (800) DIABETES (800-342-2383).

Courtesy of ARAcontent