Screenings of New Film Offer Insight on Growing Healthcare Crisis and Daily Struggle of 30 Million Americans Living With Diabetes

Dignity Health offers six free screenings November 11-15, each followed by discussion led by Certified Diabetes Educator

LAS VEGAS, November 5, 2019 – Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican is offering free screenings of the new film A Touch of Sugar, which provides insight to the growing diabetes crisis in the U.S. The film provides insights from people living with diabetes, loved ones supporting them, as well as doctors, advocates and other thought leaders.

The film spells out the alarming situation. This isn’t a problem, it’s an epidemic. 

• More than 30 million Americans have diabetes – that’s about 1 in 10 adults – and 90 to 95% of them have type 2 diabetes.
• If current U. S. trends continue, by 2030 the prevalence of diabetes will increase by 54%.
• Hispanic adults are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as non-Hispanic white adults, and about 12% are currently diagnosed with 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. 

If you don’t have diabetes, you probably know someone who does. That’s why every voice matters. It’s time to reinforce type 2 diabetes as an urgent public health issue and make a real impact – one patient and one community at a time.

A Touch of Sugar is a 30-minute film that dives into the diabetes healthcare epidemic that affects every community in the United States. It is 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.

Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican will host six free local screenings of A Touch of Sugar, November 11-15. Each screening will be followed by a discussion and question session led by Certified Diabetes Educator.

Shelley Williams, a Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator with Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican, says that managing diabetes begins with understanding the disease. “Diabetes education doesn’t just benefit the person living with diabetes,” said Ms. Williams. “It is also key for friends, family, and others in the community trying to support those living with diabetes.”

Who should see this movie? 

• People living with diabetes – They need to know they are not alone trying to live with this condition. Even longtime patients can suffer “diabetes burnout” and need a fresh viewpoint. 
• Family members – Those trying to support people living with diabetes often mean well, but sometimes try to make decisions for them. Playing “Diabetes Police” is not always helpful. This film will help caregivers to see things from the patient’s perspective. 
• Healthcare providers – Healthcare professionals know the science and make the diagnoses, but may not be aware of the daily struggle their patients are going through every day. 
• Community Leaders – Elected representatives and community leaders make decisions impacting people living with diabetes. Better understanding leads to better decisions. 

Created in collaboration with Merck, directed by Ani Simon-Kennedy and narrated by acclaimed actress and producer, Viola Davis, 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.

Ms. Williams added, “I recommend that everyone take advantage of this opportunity to see this film and be a part of this conversation. One in ten American adults are living with diabetes today. If you don’t know one of them, the reality is that you probably do and just don’t realize it. Learn more and help lift the stigma.” 

A Touch of Sugar screening schedule: 

4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Green Valley Wellness Center 
2651 Paseo Verde Pkwy., Ste. 180
Henderson, NV 89074  

Tuesday, Nov. 12
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
North Las Vegas Wellness Center
1550 W. Craig Rd., Ste. 250
Las Vegas, NV 89032

Tuesday, Nov. 12 
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
West Wellness Center
7220 S. Cimarron Rd, Ste. 195
Las Vegas, NV 89113

Wednesday, Nov. 13
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Green Valley Wellness Center
2651 Paseo Verde Pkwy., Suite 180
Henderson, NV 89074

Wednesday, Nov. 13
10:30 am – noon
West Flamingo Wellness Center
9880 W. Flamingo Rd., Ste. 220
Las Vegas, NV 89142

Friday, Nov. 15
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Blue Diamond Wellness Center
4855 Blue Diamond Rd, Ste. 220
Las Vegas, NV 89139 

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About Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican
As the community’s only not-for-profit, faith-based health system, Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican has been guided by the vision and core values of the Adrian Dominican Sisters since 1947. As the Henderson and Las Vegas communities grow, the St. Rose Dominican health system and its nearly 4,000 employees will continue the Sisters’ mission of serving people in need. St. Rose Dominican is a member of the multi-state Dignity Health network of 10,000 physicians, more than 60,000 employees, 41 acute care hospitals and 400-plus care-centers including neighborhood hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics.