Menu People with type 2 diabetes should work with their doctors to set individual goals to manage the ABCs of diabetes — that's A for A1C, B for blood pressure and C for cholesterol. America's Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your Goals is a program from Merck and the American Diabetes Association to raise awareness among people with type 2 diabetes about the importance of working with their doctors to set and reach their A1C goals. The program also aims to help them learn if they are at risk of low blood glucose and how to help reduce that risk. A1C is a test that shows what your average blood glucose has been over the past two to three months. Thousands of people across the country shared through the program that type 2 diabetes management isn’t always easy, and four common challenges were identified – eating healthy, exercising, sticking to a treatment plan and coping with the disease. Now, America’s Diabetes Challenge is offering tips to help people with type 2 diabetes and their loved ones tackle these challenges head on. Take the next step to check out the tips and put them into action! Whether you decide to cook a new healthy recipe or take the stairs instead of the elevator, share a picture, story or video on www.AmericasDiabetesChallenge.com so we can see your progress. DID YOU KNOW? Nearly 30 million people in the U.S. are living with diabetes. 90-95 percent have type 2 diabetes. RALLYING AMERICANS TO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE TIM MCGRAW S. EPATHA MERKERSON CHEF LETICIA MOREINOS SCHWARTZ Through America's Diabetes Challenge, Merck has teamed up with the American Diabetes Association and several important voices to reach the millions of people affected by the disease and to speak about how important it is for those living with type 2 diabetes to work with their doctors to set and reach their A1C goal. This year, the program is encouraging people to take the next step and tackle some common diabetes management challenges head on. Award-winning artist Tim McGraw is a strong believer in making healthy choices, and that's why he is encouraging people to join him in challenging their family and friends with diabetes to get to their A1C goals. In the U.S., African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos are nearly twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. To support these at-risk communities, Merck has also continued to team up with celebrated film, stage and television actress, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Chef Leticia Moreinos Schwartz. Together, they are encouraging and inspiring people with type 2 diabetes to take on America’s Diabetes Challenge tips to address some common diabetes management challenges. THIS IS KARRIE'S STORY Karrie was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2004. She has a family history with the disease, but when Karrie was growing up she was initially afraid and unsure of how her life was going to be affected. It’s been a struggle for Karrie. She works closely with her doctor to set and follow a management plan that works for her. While it’s been a difficult journey, Karrie refuses to give up and she’s taking the next step with America’s Diabetes Challenge by facing her challenges head on. “I’m trying to reign my A1C back in through diet and exercise, and the different programs and treatment plans that I come up with my doctor.” LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICA'S DIABETES CHALLENGE UNDERSTANDING A1C of adults with diabetes are not at their A1C goal A main goal of type 2 diabetes management is to manage your blood glucose and to reach the A1C goal you’ve established with your doctor. About one-third of adults with diabetes are not at their A1C goal. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes have an individualized A1C goal; the goal for many adults with diabetes is less than 7 percent. A higher or lower goal may be appropriate for some people, which is why it is important for people with diabetes to speak with their doctors about what goals are right for them. MANAGING BLOOD GLUCOSE Many people with diabetes are aware of the importance of managing high blood glucose through diet, exercise and medicine (if prescribed), but they may not know that blood glucose can also go too low. This is known as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia may be caused by skipping meals, excessive exercise and certain diabetes medicines, and can make you feel shaky, dizzy, sweaty or hungry and, sometimes, faint. If left untreated, hypoglycemia may lead to a seizure or loss of consciousness. People living with diabetes should work with their doctors to learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of both high and low blood glucose, and talk to their doctors if they are experiencing any problems with high and low blood glucose. TAKE THE NEXT STEP If you are one of the millions of Americans living with type 2 diabetes, or if you would like to support those with the disease, visit www.AmericasDiabetesChallenge.com to get tips to tackle common diabetes challenges today. RELATED NEWS Take the Next Step with America's Diabetes Challenge Join the community on Facebook Published April 2016; updated June 2017 Copyright. © 2009-2017 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statement Privacy Terms of Use Site Map