Paramus–based Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, the Diabetes Foundation and Bergen County recently partnered to provide greater access to high quality health care and education for diabetes. The partnership along with support from elected officials will be focusing on the disproportionate impact diabetes has on communities of color.
“As we completed our Community Health Needs Assessment, it was painfully clear that chronic conditions such as diabetes not only continue but have increased as a population health crisis,” Deborah Visconi, president and CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center said. “As an organization, we prioritize caring for the entire person through an integrative approach focusing on healthy minds, healthy bodies, and building bridges. This collaborative and comprehensive approach is the only way we believe we will be able to successfully address the diabetes crisis and save lives.”
“Given the current statistics with one in 10 living with diabetes and 35% living with prediabetes and future projections that one in three people will have diabetes by 2050, we are at a critical moment in time,” Ginine Cilenti, executive director, Diabetes Foundation said. “We need to either take action and help our families and communities get well by providing resources and tools, or we can continue to watch diabetes rates rise and with it devastation and loss of life.”
“The county’s health department is working hand in hand with the Medical Center and the Diabetes Foundation to provide the support and resources needed to promote diabetes awareness, prevention, and management withing our community,” James Tedesco, Bergen County executive stated. “Together, we can make a difference and reduce the prevalence of diabetes in our county and ensure that no one faces this disease alone.”
