Prediabetes, a reversible condition affecting more than a third of adults in the United States, is the focus of new public service announcements (PSAs) launched by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ad Council. The “Be Your Own Hero” campaign aims to encourage individuals to assess their risk of prediabetes and take proactive steps towards prevention.
Approximately 98 million Americans have prediabetes, but an alarming 81% are unaware of their condition. The new PSAs, part of the ongoing “Do I Have Prediabetes?” initiative, were developed by creative agency Subject Matter+Kivvit. They urge viewers to take a 1-minute prediabetes risk test and, if at high risk, to consult their doctor about a confirmatory blood test.
Since its inception in January 2016, the award-winning campaign has seen over 12.7 million online and video risk test completions. Christopher Holliday, director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation, emphasized the significance of identifying prediabetes as a chance to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes not only increases the risk of type 2 diabetes but also other serious conditions such as heart attack and stroke. Research indicates that a prediabetes diagnosis can motivate individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles, effectively preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Heidi Arthur, chief campaign development officer at the Ad Council, expressed that the new PSAs demonstrate the power individuals have in controlling their health outcomes. The nationwide campaign will feature on broadcast, print, radio, out-of-home, digital banners and social media platforms in both English and Spanish.
Kevin Richards, Chief Creative Officer at Subject Matter+Kivvit, described the campaign’s central idea as empowering people to navigate daily challenges and manage serious health concerns like type 2 diabetes.
The CDC is collaborating with partners to extend the reach of the campaign, using evidence-based materials to educate healthcare providers about screening, diagnosis, and treatment processes.
The campaign aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, announced last year, which aims to reduce diet-related diseases like type 2 diabetes through collective efforts across the U.S.
To learn more or assess your own risk for prediabetes, visit DoIHavePrediabetes.org.
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