Differences in How Women and Men See the Impact of Diabetes Revealed in WebMD Survey Commissioned by Rite Aid

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Findings Released During National Diabetes Month Spotlight Demand for Expanded Pharmacy Services and Resources, Key Role of Pharmacist 

Camp Hill, PA (November 10, 2011) – The differences between women and men extend to how they view the effect diabetes has on their lives according to a recent WebMD survey* of adults living with Type 2 diabetes. The survey, conducted as part of a collaboration between Rite Aid and WebMD, reveals that women, more often than men, reported that diabetes had a greater negative impact on their emotional outlook as well as their compliance with diet and exercise recommendations. The survey also found that women were more open than men to receiving tools to help them manage their diabetes. Rite Aid offers such tools including, counseling from pharmacists and other free diabetes management resources.

“The survey results make sense when you consider that women play multiple roles – employee, homemaker and caretaker, often for both children and parents,” said Dr. Carolyn Daitch, Director of the Center for the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Farmington Hills, MI, and a psychologist with 30 years’ experience in treating anxiety in patients with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes. “Having ready access to a resource such as a pharmacist who can provide guidance and tools for self-care and practical, easy-to-implement recommendations for a healthy lifestyle can be very valuable in helping to manage diabetes.”

Robert Thompson, Rite Aid Executive Vice President of Pharmacy, said the survey of WebMD visitors diagnosed with diabetes provides important information to help Rite Aid better understand and meet the needs of the 26 million Americans living with diabetes, including many of its customers.

“It’s no secret that living with diabetes isn’t always easy and that, at times, it can be overwhelming,” said Thompson. “It’s important to us that our customers know they are not alone. Rite Aid pharmacists have long been dedicated to caring for our customers living with diabetes. Ourwellness+ for diabetesprogram and WebMD’s Diabetes head2toe are just the latest resources we offer to help them live well with diabetes. We’re glad to see that the survey findings further validate our approach.”

Key Survey Findings

Half of the women who reported being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (50%) say they feel overwhelmed when it comes to living with diabetes while less than one third of men (31%) report similar feelings. And just over half of women (53%) admit to feeling in control of their diabetes compared to more than two-thirds (68%) of men.

Women with diabetes also reported they were less like to maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors. Just over one-third of women (36%) said they exercise 30 minutes or more daily while nearly half (47%) of men report they do. Women also are less likely to say they eat well – with just 45% avoiding sweet and salty snacks compared to 56% of men.

The survey also revealed that women living with diabetes – particularly those ages 45-64 – are enthusiastic about receiving tools that can help them better manage diabetes. The tools to which they reported greatest receptivity are diabetic-friendly recipes and tips for eating right, email newsletters, savings on diabetes-related products, and videos and articles about diet, exercise and symptoms. All these resources are now provided through Rite Aid’s newwellness+ for diabetes.

Survey results show that the struggle to manage diabetes doesn’t get easier over time for either men or women. The differences in greater perceived negative impact for women persist over their lifespan although the times of peak stress vary for men and women. While women report the most difficulty in sustaining positive lifestyle behaviors and remaining optimistic in the period five to 10 years after diagnosis, the greatest reported negative emotional and psychological impact for men comes 10 years or more after diagnosis.

Launched in September,wellness+ for diabetesfeatures exclusive 24/7 online access to a special Rite Aid-sponsored section of WebMD’s “Diabetes head2toe” online lifestyle management tools. This includes a Personal Diabetes Work Plan – customized for each individual member – with a daily glucose tracker, a weekly workout log, recipes and meal planning tips and monthly lifestyle summary reports. WebMD’s Diabetes head2toe also provides comprehensive health and wellness information about living with diabetes as well as stories of people who live healthy, balanced lives with diabetes. Members ofwellness+ for diabetesalso have access online or by phone to specially trained Rite Aid pharmacists who can answer diabetes medication questions (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST). In addition,wellness+ for diabetesmembers earn special savings on the purchase of diabetes-related products.**

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*This survey was conducted among a representative audience of WebMD users with a focus on the Type 2 diabetes population. In addition to standard industry research parameters, eligible respondents also must have been diagnosed or caregivers of those with diabetes.  This research was conducted from 9/2/11-9/15/11 and included a total of 831 completed responses (458 females and 373 males). Additional details on survey findings are included in the accompanying fact sheet. 

**To learn more aboutwellness+ for diabetes, visit

www.riteaid.com/diabetesorWebMD.com/diabeteshead2toe.  

Rite Aid is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with approximately 4,700 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia with fiscal 2011 annual revenues of $25.2 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through Rite Aid’s website atwww.riteaid.com. 

For over 30 years, Dr. Carolyn Daitch, Director of the Center for the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders (http://anxiety-treatment.com/), has addressed all components of anxiety and stress disorders, including the relationship between stress and physical illness. Dr. Daitch serves as a consultant with the University of Michigan School of Medicine’s Department of Complementary and Alternative Research and has lectured around the world. She is the author ofThe Affect Regulation Toolbox: Practical and Effective Hypnotic Interventions for the Over-reactive Client(W.W. Norton),Anxiety: Go-To Guide for Therapists and Their Clients (W.W. Norton, 2010) and is currently at work on her third book,Anxious in Love: Skills to Manage Your Anxiety, Improve Your Relationship, Reduce Conflict and Foster Intimacy(New Harbinger).

Contact:

Media:

Ashley Flower 717-975-5718

News Source : Differences in How Women and Men See the Impact of Diabetes Revealed in WebMD Survey Commissioned by Rite Aid