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Diabetes prevention and management is a key funding priority of Palm Healthcare Foundation. “With the total cost of diabetes in the United States increasing 41% over the past five years, this extremely important health issue must be confronted “head-on” in our local communities,” states Andrea Bradley, President and CEO of Palm Healthcare. Since 2001, the foundation has granted nearly $4 million to support programs that address this serious epidemic.
According to the American Diabetes Association, the state of Florida has the second highest annual costs related to diabetes care of the $245 billion that is spent in the United States each year. In response to the escalating needs in our community, Palm Healthcare Foundation has brought together more than 40 healthcare organizations and community partners to form the Diabetes Coalition of Palm Beach County. The mission of this alliance is to prevent diabetes and to improve the lives of people living with the disease and those touched by it.
During the month of April, Palm Healthcare Foundation is joining forces with WPEC-12 to launch the “Let’s Move: Commit to Change” physical activity challenge. Physical activity is a key component to preventing diabetes and the campaign seeks to encourage residents throughout the community to get moving, log minutes of activity and celebrate successes. To participate, the CBS 12 website or just text LETSMOVE to 67336.
The foundation recently renewed its support of the PET (Prevention, Education and Treatment) Program at Caridad Center. This program serves uninsured, low-income families with clinical care for diabetes management, dental and vision care and obesity prevention. “Palm Healthcare Foundation’s support of Caridad’s PET program has been invaluable. Through this program we have saved the lives of individuals who were in diabetes crisis and have also changed the behaviors of entire families through education and support,” reports Jezabel Maisonet, BSN, RN, Director of the Diabetes and Chronic Disease Management Program at the Caridad Center.
March 26 is the American Diabetes Association Alert Day. For more information about your risk for diabetes, visit the Diabetes Coalition of Palm Beach County website or call the Caridad Center at 954-732-4020.
About Palm Healthcare Foundation
Palm Healthcare Foundation, Inc. (palmhealthcare.org) chartered in 2001, is Palm Beach County’s leading public healthcare foundation. Believing that,“Together we can do more,” the foundation’s mission is to inspire and fund solutions to improve health in Palm Beach County. Since 2001, the foundation has distributed more than $49 million to more than 95 non-profit organizations in Palm Beach County operating over 130 programs. For more information on Palm Healthcare Foundation and the Diabetes PET Program please visit the Palm Healthcare Foundation website or call 561-837-2277.
About Caridad Center
The Caridad Center is the largest free healthcare clinic of its kind in the state of Florida. With more than 400 professional and medical volunteers, Caridad Center provides comprehensive health and dental services for uninsured, low-income families in Palm Beach County. For more information call Luz Smith, Outreach Coordinator, at 561-853-1633.
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