About Us
Our Motivation
The latest annual report from the American Diabetes Association underscores the magnitude of diabetes as one of the most pressing public health challenges in the United States. More than 38 million Americans are living with diabetes, and nearly 98 million adults are estimated to have prediabetes. Alarmingly, more than 8 million adults who meet laboratory criteria for diabetes are unaware of their condition, leaving millions without the knowledge or support needed to take timely action.
Diabetes affects people of all ages. More than 1.7 million Americans live with type 1 diabetes, and the number of children and adolescents diagnosed with diabetes continues to rise. Complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, vision loss, amputations, and premature death impose a profound burden on individuals, families, and communities.
The economic consequences are equally significant. Diabetes costs the U.S. economy more than $400 billion annually through direct medical expenses and lost productivity. These costs extend well beyond the healthcare system, affecting employers, schools, and the overall well-being of society.
Our motivation is rooted in a simple but urgent belief: while diabetes management is essential, prevention must become a national priority. At the same time, those already living with diabetes deserve ongoing support, practical education, and encouragement to help them live healthier, more fulfilling lives. The 5Plus2 Challenge was created to help shift the conversation from treatment alone to a broader, community-driven culture of prevention and support.
Mission
Our mission is to build a community-driven ecosystem that advances diabetes prevention while strengthening ongoing support for individuals living with diabetes and those at risk of developing the condition.
Our Goal
The 5Plus2 Challenge: Shifting the Focus to Prevention and Support
The goal of the 5Plus2 Challenge is to shift the public conversation, community priorities, and everyday behaviors from managing diabetes after diagnosis to preventing it before it begins—while ensuring that those already affected are supported, not overlooked.
Emphasizing Prevention as the Primary Response
By emphasizing prevention as the first and most effective response, we aim to encourage individuals, families, organizations, and institutions to adopt healthier lifestyles and support prevention-focused initiatives within their communities.
Comprehensive Support for Those Affected
At the same time, our Support Initiative provides a structured, community-based environment for individuals living with diabetes or at high risk—offering ongoing guidance, shared learning, and motivation to help them better manage their condition and improve their quality of life.
Objective
The objective of the 5Plus2 Challenge is to promote diabetes prevention and support through community-based awareness, education, engagement, and early lifestyle intervention.
Through our five interconnected pillars, we seek to empower individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and communities to adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce their risk of developing diabetes:
To measure our progress, we have established the 5-5-5 Target:
Reduce the number of new diabetes cases by 5%
Delay the average age of diabetes onset by 5 years
Achieve these outcomes over the next 5 years
By fostering greater awareness, promoting proactive measures, and strengthening community support structures, we aim to deliver long-term improvements in individual and public health.
