Updated Campaign Urges Public to Learn Risks of Prediabetes

An updated campaign sheds light on the fact that more than millions of Americans may be living with prediabetes, and urges them to find out whether they have prediabetes through discussions with their health care providers.

"[We urge the public] to talk with their physician as soon as they find out they may be at risk,” said AMA President Barbara L. McAneny, MD, in a press release about the updated campaign, which was released this week, as part of World Diabetes Day activities. “We encourage anyone who learns through the test that they may be at risk for prediabetes to consult their doctor to confirm a prediabetes diagnosis and find out how lifestyle changes can help them prevent type 2 diabetes.”

The campaign website DoIHavePrediabetes.org also features lifestyle tips and links to CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program, which connects visitors to a registry of more than 1,700 in-person and online CDC-recognized programs across the country. The campaign was developed with pro bono support by Ogilvy in New York for the Ad Council. Humorous scenarios show the viewer, the person in their own life who may have prediabetes—“it could be you, your boss, or your boss’ boss.” Viewers are then encouraged to visit DoIHavePrediabetes.org where they can take a one-minute risk test to know where they stand. If someone receives a high score, the campaign directs them to speak with their doctor to first confirm a diagnosis of prediabetes, then enroll in a CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Consistent with the Ad Council’s model, all media will run entirely in donated time and space.

The AMA and CDC are working with their local offices, affiliates, and partners to promote and activate the campaign in their communities, with evidence-based materials to aid physicians and other health care providers in the screening, diagnosis and treatment process. Since its launch in January 2016, the award-winning campaign has led to a 30% increase in national awareness of prediabetes, and more than 2.2 million people have learned their risk for prediabetes through the online risk assessment and risk test videos, according to the release.

Prediabetes is a serious condition that often leads to type 2 diabetes and other significant health problems, such as heart disease and stroke. More than 1 in 3 Americans has prediabetes, and about 30 million Americans currently have diabetes—with the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes more than tripling in the past 20 years. Despite the prevalence of prediabetes, nearly 90% of people with the condition do not know they have it.