Discovery Health Travels the World to Present the Groundbreaking Documentary - Diabetes: A Global Epidemic

Discovery Health Travels the World to Present the Groundbreaking Documentary - Diabetes: A Global Epidemic

- The Hour-Long Special Narrated by Glenn Close Premieres November 18 at 9 AM ET/PT on Discovery Health -

NEW YORK, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly every society on earth is affected by diabetes -- one of the most pressing health crises facing humanity today. Currently, more than 246 million people worldwide are living with the disease, a number that is expected to explode to 380 million within 20 years. Despite recent advancements -- including new medications, monitoring devices and measurements -- the fight against diabetes continues to be an uphill battle. In an effort to raise awareness and uncover new clues for combating the disease, Discovery Health, with support from an unrestricted educational grant from Novo Nordisk, presents DIABETES: A GLOBAL EPIDEMIC -- the definitive look at how diabetes affects the global community.

Featuring narration from five-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close, DIABETES: A GLOBAL EPIDEMIC takes viewers across six continents to gain greater knowledge of the disease and how it affects different communities. In a television first, Discovery Health travels around the world to investigate diabetes' escalating human and economic toll across differing cultures and health care systems. The documentary's premiere comes on the heels of a historic milestone -- the first United Nations World Diabetes Day, which will be observed on November 14, 2007. With generous support from Novo Nordisk, the one-hour documentary will be presented commercial-free in the United States.

"This groundbreaking documentary shows diabetes for what it is: the silent epidemic of the 21st century, which doesn't discriminate between culture, continent or civilization," says Lise Kingo, executive vice president at Novo Nordisk. "The film also captures the care, professionalism and determination of all those who live with, treat and seek new treatments for diabetes around the world and who are working toward consigning diabetes to medical history."

DIABETES: A GLOBAL EPIDEMIC follows Francine Kaufman, MD, former American Diabetes Association president and head of the Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, as she tours the world. Over a six-month period, Dr. Kaufman journeys from Los Angeles to Cape Town, South Africa; Chennai, India; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Melbourne and Perth, Australia; and Helsinki, Finland, in her quest to increase focus on the prevention, treatment and care of diabetes. In her travels, Dr. Kaufman meets with physicians and diabetes thought leaders to discuss the challenges of combating the disease, as well as their success stories of treatment and prevention. In addition, she spends time with diabetes patients of all ages who share their personal stories and offer a unique insight into the realities of living with the disease.

"During my travels, I realized that while diabetes is a worldwide issue, it often affects different cultures in different ways," said Kaufman. "It became clear to me that in order to effectively address the disease globally, we need to apply culturally sensitive solutions locally."

DIABETES: A GLOBAL EPIDEMIC gives audiences an in-depth understanding of the impact the westernization of the world has had on the incidence and prevalence of diabetes, and how differing cultures add unique dynamics to the problem at local levels.

We learn how South Africans don't want to be thin because of the stigma of AIDS. In India, when people become financially secure their eating increases- to be large in size symbolizes wealth and success. Australians talk about their country becoming a nation of sports watchers instead of sports players. All these factors are prompting leading experts to urgently join forces in the common goal of defeating this enemy, which can lead to blindness, heart disease and renal failure.

Medical professionals are eligible to receive CME credits for viewing DIABETES: A GLOBAL EPIDEMIC. More information is available at DiscoveryHealthCME.com.

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 84-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition to diabetes care, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy, and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 25,000 employees in 79 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For global information, visit novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit novonordisk-us.com.

About Discovery Health Media Enterprises

Discovery Health Media Enterprises includes the Discovery Health and FitTV television networks and online assets including http://www.discoveryhealth.com/, as well as its Continuing Medical Education (CME) business and Discovery's first stand-alone VOD service, Discovery Health On-Call. Discovery Health Media Enterprises is part of Discovery Communications, the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks are led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health and HD Theater, with digital media properties including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ:DISCA) (NASDAQ:DISCB) , Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit http://www.discoverycommunications.com/.

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Source: Discovery Health

CONTACT: Chris Finnegan, +1-240-662-7589, Chris_Finnegan@discovery.com,
or Katie Crockett, +1-240-662-2707, Katie_Crockett@discovery.com, both of
Discovery Health

Web site: http://www.discovery.com/
http://www.discoveryhealth.com/
http://www.discoveryhealthcme.com/
http://www.novonordisk-us.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment