Groups Launch the Eye Pledge to Raise
Awareness and Address Inequity in Diabetes-Related Eye
Disease
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 30,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Diabetes
Association® (ADA), a sponsor of the 2023 Magic City
Classic (MCC), and Genentech, anchor partner of the ADA's Health
Equity Now® program, launched the Eye Pledge to Fight
Diabetes. This program encourages people with diabetes and
their loved ones to get an annual eye exam, which are shown to help
reduce the risk of diabetes-related vision loss.
Diabetes-related eye disease affects around 8 million Americans
and is the leading cause of vision loss for people aged 18 to 64.
The ADA has partnered with Genentech to address the health
inequities that drive the disproportionate impact of
diabetes-related eye disease in Black and Brown communities.
"Diabetes and related eye disease disproportionately impacts
under-resourced communities. That's why we're proud to partner with
Genentech to raise awareness and provide support for people to get
the care they need," said Charles "Chuck" Henderson, CEO of
the ADA. "Regular eye screenings and treatment can prevent 95% of
vision loss caused by diabetes, and I encourage everyone to take
the eye pledge, get an eye exam, and spread the
word."
The Eye Pledge to Fight Diabetes builds on the ADA and
Genentech's Health Equity Now partnership, which kicked off in 2023
with a pilot program in Birmingham,
Alabama, an area with a high prevalence of diabetes and
prediabetes. Over 568,000 adults are living with diabetes and
1,316,000 (nearly 35% of the population) live with prediabetes in
Alabama. The program engages
community and faith-based organizations to understand barriers to
receiving care and to provide diabetes, health, and eye screenings
in under-resourced communities in and around the MCC. By studying
barriers to eye health care in Birmingham, the ADA and partners can use those
learnings to drive change, not just in Alabama, but in under-resourced communities
across the country.
"At Genentech, we deeply understand the challenges of vision
loss and the impact it has on the lives of patients living with
diabetes," said Fritz Bittenbender,
head of U.S. Public Affairs at Genentech. "That's why the eye
pledge is so important — it's a simple commitment people can make
with a big impact to help them protect their vision. I hope people
nationwide join us in the fight and take the pledge."
To take the ADA's Eye Pledge to Fight Diabetes, visit
diabetes.org/EyePledge.
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 83 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 over 133 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 get involved, visit,
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), LinkedIn (American
Diabetes Association), X (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram
(@AmDiabetesAssn).
About Genentech
Founded more than 40 years ago,
Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers,
develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat
patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The
company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in
South San Francisco, California.
For additional information about the company, please
visit http://www.gene.com.
Contact: Kesi Lumumba
(414) 748 0333
klumumba@diabetes.org
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SOURCE American Diabetes Association