Community Events

PRINT

EMAIL

Live EMPOWERED-African-American Initiatives

Diabetes is one of the most serious health problems that the African American community faces today. Compared to the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes. To address this growing epidemic, the American Diabetes Association created a targeted approach called African American Initiatives. The initiative is designed to increase awareness of the rates of diabetes among African Americans, provide information about the seriousness of diabetes and its complications, teach the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices, and educate those with or at risk for developing diabetes about prevention, treatment, and management.

African American Initiatives develop culturally appropriate materials and community-based activities that empower, educate and create measurable differences in the prevalence of diabetes and its complications among people of African descent. The vision of the initiative is a healthier community living free from diabetes and it's complications. The target audience is all people of African descent living in the United States whether they identify themselves as being African American, Black, African, or from the Caribbean.

Community-based educational programs/workshops are an important part of the African American Initiatives. Through fun and informative workshops conducted by trained Association staff and volunteers, community members can learn more about diabetes, the importance of making healthy food choices, and being physically active on a regular basis. Materials and events targeting the African American community are also an integral part of the Association’s outreach efforts to help improve the quality of life for African Americans and their families.

Choose to Live

This diabetes awareness toolkit targets African-American women between the ages of 35-55.

Project POWER

We provide your church with resources for creating awareness about diabetes.