Diabetes is challenging, and it's important for women in minority groups to get emotional suport
Silver Spring, MD (PRWEB) March 29, 2016
DiabetesSisters, a national 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of women living with and at risk of diabetes, will kick off its new initiative for women of color on April 7, 2016 with a health forum entitled Goodbye, Sugar! at Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD. Dinner will be served and while there is no charge for the event, online registration is required.
The purpose of this event is to offer an opportunity for African American women living with diabetes to gain knowledge and support. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to speakers at the forum from Black Women’s Health Imperative, the African American Health Program, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Women’s Health, and DiabetesSisters. Panel presenters will include:
- Zakiya Bell, MS, CHES - FDA Office of Women’s Health
- Angela F. Ford, PhD, MSW - Black Women’s Health Imperative
- Sarah Mart, MS, MPH - DiabetesSisters
Andrea Thomas, DiabetesSisters board member and host of the event, will begin the evening with a welcome, prayer, and an introduction to her involvement with DiabetesSisters. Dinner will be followed by brief remarks by each panelist, and time for Q&A afterward.
“I’m proud of this program. As an African American woman living with diabetes and member of the Board of Directors of DiabetesSisters, I see the need for programs like this in community centers and churches. Our goal is to bring diabetes education to women of color throughout the year, each time focusing on a new topic,” said Andrea Thomas, DiabetesSisters’ Board member.
Women of color bear an increased burden from and risk of diabetes, and African American women are at higher risk of developing diabetes than women of other ethnicities. Diabetes is 33% more common among African Americans than Caucasians; affects 1 in 4 women age 55 and older; and is the fourth leading cause of death at all ages. For every age group, diabetes is more prevalent in African American women than African American men.
“It’s necessary to include all groups in our diabetes education and support,” said Anna Norton, CEO, DiabetesSisters. “Diabetes is challenging, and it’s important for women in minority groups who typically do not get emotional support, to feel the warm embrace of another woman also walking the same journey. I am grateful to our sponsors and Board of Directors who have realized this need in the community and provided the funding needed to host programs such as this.”
DiabetesSisters is presenting this event with grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Lilly, and NovoNordisk.
More information and the link to register for the event online is available at https://diabetessisters.org/goodbye-sugar-diabetessisters-event.
About DiabetesSisters:
A 501(c)3 nonprofit, DiabetesSisters is the only organization worldwide focusing exclusively on women with diabetes. Our mission is to improve the health and quality of life of women with diabetes and those at risk of developing diabetes, and to advocate on their behalf. DiabetesSisters has a 10,000-member peer network that unites women with diabetes for the purpose of support, education and advocacy. Signature programs include monthly small group meetings (PODS Meetups); DiabetesSisters’ Conferences throughout the U.S.; and the Life Class Webinar Series and online blogs, forums, and expert resources. For more information, visit http://www.diabetessisters.org.