National Association of Chronic Disease Directors and Health Promotion Council Launch Media Campaign Promoting the Use of Text Messaging to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Among Pennsylvanians

Multi-Channel Public Health Outreach Campaign Aims to Increase Health Literacy and Accessibility for One Million High-Risk Black and Hispanic Residents 

To address the public health crisis of skyrocketing diabetes among Black and Hispanic Pennsylvanians who develop diabetes at greater prevalence, the Health Promotion Council (HPC) and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) have joined forces to launch “Make a Choice for a Healthier Life” campaign. More than one million households in Pennsylvania are being engaged through this multi-channel campaign, led by multicultural marketing firm Perry Media Group (PMG) and powered by the global health and wellbeing engagement leader, Virgin Pulse.  

The “Make a Choice for a Healthier Life” campaign is a public health initiative designed to ensure populations of focus have access to life saving information about type 2 diabetes prevention. While all Pennsylvanians are welcome to be screened, the campaign is primarily focused on Black and Hispanic residents at risk for prediabetes, aged 18-and older, in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh and their surrounding areas. Those who want to know if they are at risk for type 2 diabetes can text the word “TODAY” to 600400 (textea HOY al 600400) to answer a few quick questions to get started. Participants who screen high will be referred to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-led National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) in their area. The “Make a Choice for a Healthier Life” campaign runs now through Oct. 2, 2022. 

“Prediabetes is a serious condition that can be reversed if identified early and addressed with lifestyle changes, including eating healthy, getting more physical activity, and reducing stress. There are 96 million adults nationwide living with prediabetes (1) and most don’t even know it,” said John Patton, Vice President, Center for Innovation and Partnership, of NACDD. “It’s critical that we help Pennsylvanians know if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. By using a multi-channel approach, we are able to aim our message at the right people and facilitate a simple, text-based risk assessment.” 

View the full press release to learn more.