LEAWOOD, Kan. — More than 16 million Americans have type 2 diabetes and yet only 8 million are aware they have the disease. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) encourages people to be aware of their risk for diabetes and the complications this disease may cause. Because of this commitment to diabetes education, the AAFP supports World Diabetes Day, Nov. 14, 2002, and encourages people to become more aware of the disease and its risk factors.
American Academy of Family Physicians Supports Diabetes Education Efforts
World Diabetes Day, Nov. 14, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
Contact:
Adam Lee
American Academy of Family Physicians
(800) 274-2237 Ext. 5221
alee@aafp.org
In accordance with its commitment to diabetes awareness, the AAFP has launched Annual Clinical Focus (ACF) 2003 Prevention, a year-long educational initiative. ACF 2003 Prevention offers family physicians and patients current information and techniques to help divert the onset of often fatal diseases such as diabetes. Diabetes was also the focus of ACF 1999 Management and Prevention of the Complications of Diabetes.
“Early detection of diabetes is critical for reducing serious health complications, including blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and lower limb amputations,” said James C. Martin, M.D., AAFP president. “Family physicians are the front line of defense in the battle to conquer what is often called a ‘silent killer.’ We are in the best position to counsel our patients on how to reduce the risks of developing diabetes, and how to manage the disease successfully.”
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Annual Clinical Focus 2003 Prevention was developed in cooperation with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, American Cancer Society, American College of Preventive Medicine, American Diabetes Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, and the National Human Genome Research Institute. It is made possible through unrestricted educational grants from Schering, Pharmacia Corporation, Aventis Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Abbott Laboratories, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Aventis Pasteur, Inc. and AstraZeneca.
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 105,900 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Approximately one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 240 million office visits each year — nearly 87 million more than the next largest medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.
To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s award-winning consumer Web site, www.FamilyDoctor.org.
