ADA partners with NFL to raise diabetes awareness

The American Diabetes Association has been named a strategic charity partner of the National Football League Players Association for 2017, according to a press release.

The partnership’s goal is to raise public awareness for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes risk factors, especially in members of minority groups. The ADA and NFLPA will provide education, resources and programs aimed at the populations most at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

“Diabetes is an issue that is particularly close to the hearts of our members,” Don Davis, senior director of player affairs at the NFLPA, said in the release. “Not only is diabetes such a critical health issue for all Americans, but the communities that make up the majority of our membership tend to be at a higher risk of developing diabetes.”

The partnership follows the ADA’s 2016 Team Tackle initiative, which brought together current and former NFL players to raise diabetes awareness. Team tackle included 34 current and former players, who, with more than 100 diabetes advocates from across the U.S., met with Congress to encourage them to increase funding for diabetes research and treatment. This initiative will continue under the new partnership.

“We are excited to join the NFLPA as a 2017 Strategic Charity Partner and are excited to further the Association’s mission to raise our collective voices to stop the diabetes epidemic,” Kevin L. Hagan, ADA CEO, said in the release. “By uniting with the NFLPA and Team Tackle, we’ll continue our important work to raise awareness and urgency of prediabetes and diabetes; to champion additional research; to push for fair treatment and total wellness for all people living with diabetes; and to provide hope for the millions of individuals and families who are managing diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes.”