The campaign includes bilingual signs on Bee-Line buses
WHITE PLAINS -The Westchester County Health Department is launching a new diabetes awareness campaign that encourages residents to identify their risk for diabetes and make lasting lifestyle changes to improve their health.
The campaign includes bilingual Bee-Line bus shelter and bus ads that encourage residents to take a prediabetes risk assessment test, promoting and leading diabetes prevention classes offered through the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, and a new bilingual educational brochure.
“These efforts can help Westchester residents reduce their chances of developing type 2 diabetes and provide them with great tools to make lasting healthy lifestyle changes,” said County Executive Robert Astorino. “Another added benefit of healthy lifestyles is the lowered costs of health care that otherwise would be spent to treat obesity-related illness and disease, including type 2 diabetes.”
This work is being accomplished through the health department’s participation in the Hudson Community Health Alliance as part of a Local Initiatives for Multi-Sector Public Health Action grant (IMPACT). These outreach efforts are being promoted in November during National Diabetes Month to highlight potential solutions to this national health problem.
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a nationally recognized program with a proven track record of preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. This program, which nationally costs $429 per participant, is being made available at no cost to residents through IMPACT grant funding and is offered through the Rye YMCA in Yonkers, and Port Chester, with more locations to come. It provides the skills and support residents need to make lasting lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, increasing their physical activity and learning coping skills.
“Together with the Rye Y, we are giving residents a chance to get the support they need to make meaningful changes that can help them live longer, healthier lives,” said Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “This program has been proven to succeed, so I strongly encourage residents who are diagnosed with prediabetes to take advantage of this opportunity.”
To find out if you qualify to participate, text “RISKTEST” to 97779 on your smartphone or go to a link at www.westchestergov.com/diabetes/prediabetes.
