ABOUT THE FILM


More than 30 million Americans have diabetes – that’s about 1 in 10 adults – and 90 to 95% of them have type 2 diabetes. A Touch of Sugar dives into the
diabetes healthcare epidemic that affects every community in the United States, told through the voices of people united in their struggle with this chronic disease. Diabetes management doesn’t occur in isolation. These stories bring to life the emotional challenges, social factors and public perceptions that have a significant impact but go unnoticed far too often.

Created in collaboration with Merck and directed by Ani Simon-Kennedy, the film attests to the resiliency of the human spirit and challenges the national perception of life with type 2 diabetes. Interviews with patients and their loved ones, as well as doctors, advocates and thought leaders in the space, explore the larger diabetes ecosystem at work and help to reinforce type 2 diabetes as an urgent public health issue that cannot be ignored, especially among underserved populations.

As Shenekqual prepares for her wedding, Stewart heads to Capitol Hill, Niurka provides for her family and Susie searches for the support she needs, A Touch of Sugar sheds light on how we must fight the stigma associated with the disease and confront this epidemic – one patient and one community at a time.

Watch the trailer >

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FEATURING:

A Touch of Sugar Film Featuring Susie Katona

Susie Katona
A Touch of Sugar Film Featuring Stewart Perry

Stewart Perry
A Touch of Sugar Film Featuring Shenekqual Robertson-Carter

Shenekqual Robertson-Carter
A Touch of Sugar Film Featuring Niurka Rodriguez

Niurka Rodriguez

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A Touch of Sugar Film Scene: Man and Woman Reading A Touch of Sugar Film Scene: Man Visiting Capitol Hill A Touch of Sugar Film Scene: Man Celebrating Birthday A Touch of Sugar Film Scene: Women Talking and Cooking


THE FAST FACTS:

If current trends continue, by 2030 the prevalence of diabetes in the United States will increase by 54%.


About 29 million Americans are uninsured. People with diabetes who don’t have health insurance have significantly fewer physician office visits and are prescribed fewer medications than those who have health insurance.

About 1/3 of adults diagnosed with diabetes are not at their A1C goal (A1C is the average blood glucose level over the past 2-3 months).

More than 23 million Americans live in food deserts, which are low-income communities without ready access to healthy and affordable food.

Low health literacy affects about 1 in 3 American adults. People with diabetes who also have low health literacy have a harder time understanding their disease, participate less in self-care activities, and have poorer glycemic control.

Hispanic adults in the United States are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as non-Hispanic white adults, and about 12% are currently diagnosed with the disease.

Nearly 13% of all African-American adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, and this community is more likely than other ethnic groups to experience serious long-term health problems over time from the disease.

People with type 2 diabetes often report experiencing stigma from others viewing their disease as a character flaw or believing it to be caused by a failure in personal responsibility.

Click here to learn more.

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TAKE ACTION:

If you or a loved one are affected by type 2 diabetes, share your story here – from inspirational successes to honest struggles. Every voice counts, and you never know how your experience may help others impacted by the disease.

Living with type 2 diabetes isn’t easy, but by working with your doctor, it can be managed with the proper education, a treatment plan and support from both loved ones and medical professionals. Click here for some tips to help get you started.

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