Attention SCOPA Members - November is Diabetes Awareness Month
Information on the AOA’S 2010 DIABETES CAMPAIGN
The AOA Communications and Membership Group is pleased to provide you with information about the upcoming diabetes campaign to help ensure that communications and public relations efforts in each state will feature cohesive and consistent messages about the campaign and optometry. We hope the information below is useful as you develop your campaign efforts.
According to recent studies, diabetes is responsible for eight percent of legal blindness, making it the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age. Each year, 12,000 – 24,000 people lose their sight because of diabetes. This year’s diabetes campaign will serve to educate Americans about the visual health risks associated with diabetes.
Campaign Tactics
· Traditional press release: posted to AOA.org and also on the SCOPA members only website in the Marketing/PR Resources section or you can click here to download your copy now. We encourage you to utilize the press release by customizing it and distributing it through you own local media outlets.
· Spanish audio news release, with Dr. Madeline Romeu serving as the campaign spokesperson
· Nationwide distribution of “60-Second Check Up,” a pre-recorded radio feature with Dr. Romeu serving as the spokesperson on the topic of diabetes
· Distribution of a community-focused “matte” release to various regional daily and community newspapers across the U.S.
Diabetes in South Carolina
S.C. ranks 10th highest in the nation in the percent of population with diabetes
Approximately 1 in 8 African-Americans in South Carolina has diabetes – the 16th highest rate of diabetes among African-Americans in the nation.
The prevalence of diabetes increases with age – a dramatic increase can be seen among those 45 years of age and older.
2009 Diabetes prevalence : 10.4%
Percent of people with diabetes who have had an eye exam in past year: 51.8%
Percent of people with diabetes who have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy: 20.2%
Click here for a Diabetes in South Carolina Fact Sheet
Click here for a Diabetes Evaluation Report |