WORLDWIDE CONTACT US ABOUT US PRODUCTS RESEARCH LICENSING NEWSROOM CAREERS INVESTORS Home AMERICA'S DIABETES CHALLENGE About Us Corporate Responsibility Reimbursement Support and Patient Assistance Programs Leadership Board of Directors Executive Committee Our Work How We Operate Code of Conduct Compliance Privacy Transparency and Privacy Internet Privacy Policy Cookie Privacy Commitment Cross Border Policy Employment Privacy & Data Protection Diversity Employee Diversity Supplier Diversity Views and Positions Access and Affordability Access to Investigational Medicines Innovation Quality and Safety Sales and Marketing Responsible Public Policy and Advocacy Our History Our People Featured Stories 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 Merck-sponsored educational program created with 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. The America's Diabetes Challenge program offers many resources, including tips to help people with type 2 diabetes reach their goals and questions they can ask their doctors about blood glucose control. People with type 2 diabetes can access these resources and take the America's Diabetes Challenge pledge to work with their doctors to achieve their own blood glucose goals by visiting www.AmericasDiabetesChallenge.com. A1C is a test that shows what your average blood glucose has been over the past two to three months. Rallying Americans to Accept the Challenge Tim McGraw Award-winning artist Tim McGraw, who has loved ones impacted by type 2 diabetes, has teamed up with Merck and the American Diabetes Association to spread the word about America's Diabetes Challenge and raise awareness of this growing epidemic. McGraw is a strong believer in making healthy choices, and he'll be traveling the country to urge people to join him in challenging their families and friends with diabetes to work with their doctors to get to their A1C goals. "As an artist, I've toured the country and seen first-hand how type 2 diabetes impacts people from all walks of life," says McGraw. "Millions of Americans are living with the disease, and it's affected my family, friends and fans. That's why I'm speaking out about how important it is for those living with type 2 diabetes to get their blood sugar under control." In the U.S., African-Americans and Hispanics are nearly twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. To support these at-risk communities, Merck has also continued its partnerships with celebrated film, stage and television actress, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Chef Leticia Moreinos. Together, they will be sharing their personal connections with type 2 diabetes to inspire African-Americans and Hispanics to take the America's Diabetes Challenge pledge. Shining a Spotlight on A1C A main goal of type 2 diabetes management is to keep your blood glucose under control 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. Controlling Both High and Low Blood Glucose Many people with diabetes are aware of the importance of controlling 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 the signs and symptoms of both high and low blood glucose, and talk to their doctors about how to help reduce their risk. Take the Pledge Are you at your A1C goal? Find out by accepting America's Diabetes Challenge. Take the pledge to work with your doctor to set and reach your A1C goal. Also learn if you are at risk of low blood glucose and how to help reduce that risk. SHARE: RELATED NEWS Accept America's Diabetes Challenge Join the community on Facebook DID YOU KNOW? Nearly 30 million people in the U.S. are living with diabetes, and 90-95 percent have type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2009-2016 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statement Privacy Terms of Use Site Map