To meet the changing needs of people affected by this growing epidemic, the American Diabetes Association has launched a completely redesigned www.diabetes.org in English and Spanish. Even though diabetes is a growing epidemic, a recent survey conducted by the Association showed that Americans received a failing grade in diabetes awareness. The web site's reorganization better targets audience members based on where their interest in diabetes lies (prevention, management, complications, caring for a loved one, etc.), and provides an engaging community with customizable tools and support, in addition to the research-based information that always has brought people to www.diabetes.org.
"In this day and age, information alone is not enough," said George Huntley, CPA, Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. "We found consumers are also looking for a supportive, engaging community along with tools that can help with daily living to prevent and manage diabetes as well as general health and wellness."
The new site design, based on extensive consumer research, integrates its multiple vendors' strengths into a single web site that meets the Association's broad and diverse mission while centering around three primary concepts: help, hope and support.
Help
The American Diabetes Association's new web site provides the tangible information users want to find, including diabetes risk factors, recipes, nutrition guidelines, first diagnosis and diabetes-related complications for type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Test visitors found the new site to be very educational without being too 'medical.'
- FAQs - The web site has been reorganized to better highlight the most popular pages and search topics. For example, Living with Diabetes now includes a section called "Know Your Rights" that educates readers about both school and employment discrimination based on diabetes.
- Nutrition - People affected by diabetes or anyone searching for healthy lifestyle information can explore the award-winning MyFoodAdvisor®. This interactive tool allows users to search for recipes, seek nutrition information and find healthier alternative ingredients to use in their own recipes.
- Risks - My Health Advisor helps people understand their personal risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The tool looks at a person's specific risk factors, such as family history and lifestyle choices, as well as other factors (such as access to health care), to determine his or her risk for developing diabetes and its related complications. The online calculator immediately reflects and adjusts a person's risk outcome based on small changes he or she makes in his or her life, such as losing 5-10 pounds or quitting smoking.
Hope
Anyone living with diabetes, at risk for diabetes, or caring for someone who lives with diabetes can come to diabetes.org to find the latest diabetes news and cutting-edge research they care about -- and ways to become involved!