Mayor Nutter to Issue a Proclamation to Kick-Off Stop Diabetes Week

(3BL Media) Philadelphia, PA - May 30, 2012 - Mayor Michael A. Nutter will issue a proclamation to kick-off Stop Diabetes® Week on June 5, 2012 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (9am in Room 108) in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association and their 72nd Scientific Sessions® coming to the Philadelphia Convention Center on June 8 through June 12. More than 13,000 top scientists, physicians and other health care professionals from around the world will share cutting-edge research, treatment recommendations and advances toward a cure for diabetes.

As part of the Stop Diabetes Week kick-off, the Association will host a Diabetes Day, which is supported by Sanofi US, at which 3 1-1/2 hour educational sessions about diabetes will be presented for the hospitality workers of the city of Philadelphia. These educational sessions, one of which will be offered in Spanish, will begin an annual tradition of Diabetes Day programs for hospitality workers in the cities hosting Scientific Sessions each year. In addition, on Saturday, June 9, “Diabetes Is Primary,” a day-long CME program for primary care providers will be offered by the American Diabetes Association to area clinicians.

“The Association has made a strong commitment to primary prevention of type 2 diabetes and management of all types of diabetes by actively educating individuals about preventative behaviors like weight loss, physical activity and healthful eating,” said Larry Hausner, CEO, American Diabetes Association. “Education is a key component to a healthier tomorrow.”

Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States. A quarter of those with diabetes – seven million – do not even know they have it. An additional 79 million, or one in three American adults, have prediabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Recent estimates project that as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take steps to Stop Diabetes.

“Diabetes affects the overall health and quality of life for more than 650,000 Philadelphians. Though diabetes is manageable, it is a significant, persistent disease,” said Mayor Nutter. “Stop Diabetes Week will serve as a great opportunity for the American Diabetes Association and the City of Philadelphia to raise awareness about diabetes in our community.”

“Diabetes awareness and education is extremely important,” said Dennis Urbaniak, Vice President, Head of U.S. Diabetes, Sanofi US. “That’s why Sanofi is pleased to be a part of this inaugural event and we have committed our support, through our Partners in Patient Health initiatives, for these kinds of events around future Scientific Sessions.” On Saturday, June 9, Sanofi US is not only supporting the “Diabetes Is Primary” program, but will also be supporting an NBA FIT Clinic with NBA Legend and Dribble to Stop Diabetes Ambassador Bob Lanier. The Dribble to Stop Diabetes campaign, in collaboration with the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), NBA Development League (NBA D-League) and the American Diabetes Association, is a national multimedia campaign designed to encourage fans to live an active, healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about diabetes prevention, management and the potentially serious health complications that can be associated with the disease.

The primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes are being overweight, sedentary, over the age of 45 and having a family history of diabetes. African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at an increased risk, as are women who have had gestational diabetes or had babies weighing more than nine pounds at birth.

Diabetes symptoms can include frequent urination, blurred vision and excessive thirst. However, these overt warning signs may not become manifest for many years. As a result, for many, diagnosis may come seven to ten years after the actual onset of the disease. Closing the diagnosis gap is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.

Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing just seven percent of body weight (such as 15 pounds if you weigh 200) through healthy eating and regular physical activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week).

For more information about diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association at stopdiabetes.com or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).

About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in
New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi is the holding company of a consolidated group of subsidiaries and operates in the United States as Sanofi US, also referred to as Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. For more information on Sanofi US, please visit http://www.sanofi.us or call 1-800-981-2491

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.