According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incidence of diabetes has increased nearly 50 percent in the past 10 years. To stem this growth, in November 2002 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched its first diabetes-related campaign called "Small Steps, Big Rewards."

The campaign promotes modest physical activity and dietary changes over time to help millions of Americans live longer and healthier lives.

The "Small Steps, Big Rewards" campaign offers

• A health care provider's tool kit for educating patients
• Lifestyle change tools for the general public
• Web-based resources for health care providers and consumers
• Information on partnerships with businesses and consumer-based programs and initiatives that work toward diabetes prevention

This information will be promoted through a series of public service announcements and through dissemination by a network of more than 200 local, state, and national partners.

For more information, visit www.ndep.nih.gov or call 1-800-438-5383.