We learned that people with diabetes don't make the connection between their diabetes and heart disease. They are very aware of the link between diabetes and eye disease, kidney failure, and amputations but they don't realize that their diabetes puts them at major risk for heart disease and stroke.

They also were not aware that most people with diabetes die of CVD complications that stem from their diabetes. That's why the campaign slogan places the emphasis on these 2 words and links them visually.

Both providers and patients liked the ABCs of Diabetes as an easy way to remember the three key risk factors of diabetes and cardiovascular disease... Many providers especially liked A1C as a simple way to refer to the hemoglobin A1c test. Patients, too, found it a much easier term to say and remember.