CDC And Others Launch New Prediabetes PSA Campaign, Including A One-Minute Risk Test
A new ad campaign put together by public health organizations like the Centers for Diabetes Control and Prevention (CDC) is getting the word out about prediabetes — and it's not afraid to use a dash of snark to get the job done.
The campaign launched Thursday with a new website chock full of educational bits (DoIhavePrediabetes.org), a simple seven-question risk test available online and through text, and a series of public service announcements released on YouTube in both English and Spanish. Thanks, no doubt, to the pro-bono help of Ogilvy & Mather, one of the largest marketing ad agencies in the world, the video PSAs in particular are probably more funny than most would expect, with its faux doctor gently ribbing both bacon lovers and busy moms for their mistaken perception that they have nothing to worry about. One video, as seen above, even walks the audience through a version of the risk test in a minute flat.
In addition to the CDC, the campaign was developed in conjunction with the American Medical Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the Ad Council.
Prediabetes refers to when a person’s blood glucose level is higher than normal but not high enough to meet the criteria of type 2 diabetes. According to the CDC, about 86 million, or one in three, Americans have prediabetes, yet only about 10 percent are aware of their status. Without proper intervention, 15 to 30 percent of these people will go on to develop type 2 within the next five years. Even without that danger, prediabetes is known to be a risk factor for other chronic conditions like heart disease or certain cancers.
Although age and a family history of diabetes are uncontrollable risk factors for developing prediabetes, there are steps people can take to both avoid and reverse the condition, mainly exercise and diet. For those who need extra motivation to get started on that path to a healthier life, you can sign onto your state’s Diabetes Prevention Program right through the website and/or arrange for lifestyle tips to be sent to your mobile phone as well.
Update 1/21/16, 4:48 pm: This piece was updated to note the equal contributions to the campaign by other leading public health organizations besides the CDC.