“Diabetes Management. It's Not Easy, but It's Worth It” Ndep's New Public Health Campaign

Objective:Central to the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) charge has been increasing the public’s awareness and knowledge of diabetes.  Recent research shows that the complications and premature death caused by diabetes can be prevented or delayed with optimal management.  New research emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and tight diabetes control.  These findings, in conjunction with survey data and health messaging research provided the foundation for NDEP’s new Diabetes Control Campaign messages and materials.  The campaign support message, “I made a plan.  It wasn’t easy, but I did it.  So can you.” provides an opportunity to intervene with individuals and groups. Multiple examples from different organizations and community groups across the US show how the campaign is coming to life at the local level.

Methods:Public health messages and campaigns need to resonate with their target audience.  The messages should be action oriented, promote changes in lifestyle, and provide a sense of hope.  The campaign includes stories about people from diverse backgrounds living well with diabetes.  Partners were offered the opportunity to participate in a conference call for help with planning the campaign launch and activities for their community.  Partners could also request additional materials by submitting their promotion plan to NDEP.

Results:Fifty-two NDEP partners submitted a proposal for implementing the new campaign in their communities.  The evaluation results, and lessons learned from their efforts will be presented.

Conclusion:Provision of easy-to-use tools, key campaign components, and free evidence-based consumer information aids campaign implementation at a local level.