AMGA Foundation’s Diabetes: Together 2 Goal® Campaign Launches National Observance

ALEXANDRIA, VA – AMGA Foundation announced its Together 2 Goal® National Day of Action for diabetes management, in conjunction with American Diabetes Month in November.

Medical groups, health systems, non-profit partners, corporate collaborators, and individuals across the country will take an "action" to empower the nation to better manage diabetes. Planned activities include community events, media outreach, patient educational resources, employee education, giveaways, social media campaigns, and more.

“We are bringing together the nation on one day to join forces in the fight against a chronic condition that affects millions,” said Jerry Penso, MD, MBA, president of AMGA Foundation and chief medical and quality officer of AMGA. “Simple actions that individuals and organizations can do today, from adding an extra serving of vegetables to your plate to educating employees about the risk factors for diabetes, can help draw attention to one of our nation’s most significant health issues.”

Approximately 29.1 million people or 9.3% of the population have diabetes, including nearly 1 in 4 people with diabetes who are undiagnosed. People who have diabetes are at higher risk of serious health complications, including blindness; kidney failure; heart disease; stroke; and loss of toes, feet, or legs. Total (direct and indirect) costs for people with diagnosed diabetes is $245 billion.

“The National Day of Action will reach millions of people with diabetes, their loved ones and their entire healthcare team. Working together, we can achieve our shared goal of helping people with Type 2 diabetes live longer, healthier lives,” said Dr. Penso.

AMGA Foundation launched its National Day of Action concept during its first Chronic Care Challenge campaign, Measure Up/Pressure Down®, and has continued the observance as part of the Together 2 Goal® campaign.

Led by AMGA Foundation, the nonprofit arm of AMGA, Together 2 Goal® is a national campaign aimed at improving management of type 2 diabetes in the United States. This three-year initiative will challenge leading healthcare organizations to work together to transform diabetes care for millions across the country.

To date, nearly 150 AMGA members have committed to implementing at least one of the “campaign planks”—11 evidence-based care processes—that will improve the care of people with the condition by empowering patients, improving care delivery, and leveraging information technology. Additionally, campaign participants will report data on a quarterly basis to measure progress towards this goal and utilize the campaign’s resources and tools to achieve this mark.