Over the weekend, Grammy-nominated Angie Stone kicked-off her diabetes awareness campaign in conjunction with FACE (Fearless African Americans Connected and Empowered) at the Southside YMCA in Chicago. The campaign was launched to inspire behavioral changes in African Americans, who are disproportionately affected by diabetes. "The main reason most people aren't getting tested is fear," she said in regards to us taking the initiative. "Fear of the unknown keeps people from taking care of their health." For perspective's sake, here are some facts about African Americans and diabetes from the American Diabetes Association:
- 3.2 million or 13.3% of all African Americans aged 20 years or older have diabetes.
- African Americans are 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes as non Hispanic whites.
- Twenty-five percent of African Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have diabetes.
- One in four African American women over 55 years of age has diabetes.
Stone, who appeared on season 4 of Celebrity Fit Club, was diagnosed with the Type II diabetes in 1999.
Grammy-Nominated Singer Headlines Diabetes Campaign [CDN]
