Bringing Attention to Diabetes and other leading Health Issues

Online, December 10, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Diabetes kills more people each year than breast cancer and aids combined - a fascinating, but deeply concerning statistic given the relative ignorance most people have about this disease.

One way organizations are calling attention to this disease is through the use of promotional products. Using promotional giveaway items such as slide charts, magnets, wallet cards, journals and more, businesses and health care agencies are able to make a one-on-one direct appeal and reminder to the recipient without the stigma of 'preaching' the message of healthy management of their disease. Studies have shown this to be much more effective, both in costs and results versus mass media advertising such as television or magazine ads. However, promotional merchandise is usually used to supplement the aforementioned.

IASpromotes.com, a leading healthcare and eco-friendly promotional products provider, cites recent examples from two clients as ways in which diabetes education using a promotional item was effective. Bill Litton, president of the firm explains; "In the case of Johns Hopkins University and the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis, both firms were boosting community awareness of Type-2 diabetes," the most common, and often manageable (through diet and exercise) form of the disease. "By targeting their at-risk Hispanic communities with promotional decals and diabetes slide chart information respectively, they were able to create greater disease awareness as well as build good-will and corporate brand awareness."

Litton continues, "coupling a healthcare issue with a branded promotional product, has proven time and time again to generate results. Just look at the pharmaceutical companies and how they spend millions targeting physicians, pharmacies and consumers with clever promotional merchandise." Most people are unfamiliar with the differences between Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes. "This is a cause very personal to me as I have the auto-immune Type-1 diabetes, which requires insulin to live and has been referred to as juvenile diabetes." Though type-1 accounts for approximately 5% of the overall diabetes cases, it too is rising. There is an underserved educational void even within the medical community about this disease, but people need to know what they have, if they are at risk and how to treat their disease of they have it. Failure on any level can have dire results. Litton finishes by stating "I feel fortunate that I am in a position to be able to help businesses, non-profits, organizations and universities succeed while helping enlighten the general population through health care promotional programs."

As the debate over health care reform continues, one issue we all can agree on is that knowledge is power. Having information, education and awareness are critical in wellness and making personal medical decisions. Properly conceived promotional products campaigns are an integral, but often overlooked component to achieve these objectives.

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