CHICAGO, IL -- "Check Your Feet!" That's the important advice millions of Americans with diabetes are about to get in television, radio, and print public service announcements (PSAs) created by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) in partnership with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The PSAs, featuring Roberto Garza, starting lineman for the Chicago Bears, will be distributed in English and Spanish, starting today in markets across the country.

Up to 85% of the 82,000 amputations associated with diabetes in the U.S. each year could be prevented with proper foot care. There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. More than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.



The campaign "kicked off" on July 12 at the annual LULAC convention in Chicago, where Garza will be recognized at a youth awards dinner this evening as a "Hero of the Heart." Garza is a past Bears nominee for the National Football League's prestigious "Walter Payton Man of the Year"

award that considers a player's contributions to the community as well as his on-field accomplishments, and he has been heavily involved in diabetes awareness for many years.



"For America's Health Insurance Plans, good health is our mission. And so we are proud to join Roberto Garza, LULAC, and ADA in a broad-based effort to encourage people with diabetes to get and practice proper foot care," said AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni, who initiated the project. "We're proud to be partners with like-minded organizations such as LULAC. Both AHIP and LULAC will be urging English and Spanish-language media outlets to broadcast this simple, important message to audiences all over the country," ...