To combat the threat, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), northern New Jersey office, in tandem with Saint Peter’s Healthcare System in New Brunswick, N.J., announced today they have formed an alliance to address the urgent need among the public for management and education related to the care and prevention of diabetes.

Dubbed "Diabetes360Five," the year-round initiative is designed to aid people who live in the region through programs and community events delivered directly to those who need care and diabetes education. It signals a commitment on the part of ADA and Saint Peter's Healthcare System to deliver the highest quality of diabetes care and education in the central New Jersey region.

"It is estimated that nearly 800,000 New Jersey residents are affected by diabetes and one-quarter of those people have no idea that they have this very serious disease," said Pam Cooper, director of Community and Youth Initiatives for the ADA's northern New Jersey office. "It is imperative that those at risk take charge of their health and make changes that will result in a healthier future."

Saint Peter's Healthcare System has long been at the forefront in the provision of inpatient, outpatient and community based diabetes care. "Diabetes self-management education is the hallmark of care at the Saint Peter's Diabetes Care and Control Center," said Dr. Meena Murthy, an endocrinologist and chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolism at Saint Peter's University Hospital, a member of the Saint Peter's Healthcare System. "Our skilled professional staff includes board-certified endocrinologists, certified diabetes educators, licensed clinical social workers, and registered dietitians."

A familiar site in the region, Saint Peter's 35-foot-long Community Mobile Health Unit provides more than 2,000 blood sugar screenings each year to the medically underserved in partnership with more than 100 local nonprofit agencies, houses of worship, schools, businesses and municipalities.

"By teaming up with the ADA in this new and unique venture," Dr. Murthy continued, "Saint Peter's will be able to provide an even greater array of services to a greater number of patients – services including diagnosis, education, medication, including the insulin pump, nutrition counseling, diagnostic continuous monitoring, exercise counseling, and psychological counseling."

A calendar of the partnership's community outreach activities has been established. Diabetes360Five activities can be found by visiting www.diabetes.org/in-my-community. Some key upcoming events are listed below:

• "Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes," an ADA signature event, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 30, at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. Saint Peter's is a supporter and participant. The walk will feature a Halloween theme with a haunted trail, petting zoo, pumpkin picking and painting, costume contest and much more. Proceeds from the walk will be used to support clinical programs in diabetes prevention, management and care. Go tohttp://main.diabetes.org/centralnj to register.
• "Diabetes: From Head to Toe," a conference that will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm. at North Brunswick Township High School, 98 Raider Road. This conference, to be held during National Diabetes Awareness Month, will feature diabetes-related seminars, free health screenings for blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, dental, foot and vision, children's activities, and exhibitor displays by a host of healthcare providers and organizations that are free to the public. Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch will be served