American Diabetes Association Applauds Two-Year Re-Authorization of Special Diabetes Program

SOURCE: American Diabetes Association

ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwire - December 9, 2010) - The American Diabetes Association®, the nation's leading voluntary health organization in the fight to Stop Diabetes®, praises Congress for reauthorizing the Special Diabetes Program.?The renewal, which was part of the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010, will ensure the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) and the Special Diabetes Programs for Type 1 Diabetes (SDP-Type1) continue through September 2013.?The measure will provide $150 million in funding per year to each program. Nearly 24 million Americans are living with diabetes and another 57 million have prediabetes. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report stating that if current trends continue, one in three Americans will have diabetes by the year 2050. Diabetes is among the leading causes of death by disease in the United States.?It is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and amputation.

SDPI provides prevention, education and treatment programs in Native American communities. American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes among all U.S. racial and ethnic groups, where diabetes is four to eight times more common than in the general population. Studies have demonstrated that SDPI's prevention and treatment efforts have contributed to significant reductions in diabetes complications in these targeted populations.

"We applaud the extension of the Special Diabetes Programs," said Gale Marshall, Chair, American Diabetes Association's Awakening the Spirit Native American initiative. "The Special Diabetes Program for Indians provides for more than 450 community-directed programs, allowing local tribes and health programs to set priorities that meet their needs, including prevention activities or treatment. Because of these education and treatment programs, the American Indian and Alaskan Native communities have stories of hope and progress in facing the battle against diabetes."?

The Special Diabetes Programs for Type 1 Diabetes provides funding for groundbreaking type 1 diabetes research. Clinical research supported by this program has demonstrated tangible results -- from delaying the full onset of type 1 diabetes in newly diagnosed patients to gaining insight on the underlying causes of diabetes and halting or reversing costly complications such as diabetic eye disease.

"The Special Diabetes Programs for Type 1 Diabetes is a vital federal effort that is bringing us closer to a cure for this epidemic," said Janel Wright, National Chair, Advocacy Committee, American Diabetes Association. "This cost-effective program provides crucial funding for research and results in real advances for people living with type 1 diabetes."

About The American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

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The American Diabetes Association(R) Announces Implementation Of ReadSpeaker On Website

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail
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The American Diabetes Association announces the new addition of ReadSpeaker to its website, http://www.diabetes.org. ReadSpeaker allows the text on the Association's content pages to be read out loud to users simply by clicking on the "Listen to text" link at the top of the pages.

ReadSpeaker provides assistance to those that have visual impairments and trouble reading text online. By having the text read out loud, one can understand the information on the website more easily. ReadSpeaker also reads text written in Spanish.

"Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness and a leading cause of reduced vision," commented Richard Bergenstal, MD, President, Medicine & Science, American Diabetes Association. "This new functionality will help people with diabetes who suffer from eye complications, including retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma, receive important diabetes information."

Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. Diabetes contributes to the deaths of more than 230,000 Americans each year. The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is more than $174 billion; further published studies suggest that when additional costs for gestational diabetes, pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes are included, the total diabetes-related costs in the United States could exceed $218 billion.

Funding for ReadSpeaker is being made possible by a grant from Medtronic.

Source:
American Diabetes Association

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American Pharmacists Association Foundation Joins The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation's $100 Million National Diabetes Initiative

Main Category: Diabetes
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The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation announced it has been selected as an initial grantee in and will play a major role in the new Together on Diabetes®: Communities Uniting to Meet America's Diabetes Challenge. The $100 million initiative, funded by the Bristol-Meyers Squibb Foundation, is the largest, corporate philanthropic commitment to date to fight diabetes in the United States.

The APhA Foundation - chosen as one of four initial partners - will adapt and expand the evidence-based care model successfully utilized in three innovative diabetes initiatives - The Asheville Project®, the Patient Self-Management Program for Diabetes, and the Diabetes Ten City Challenge - to 25 communities heavily affected by diabetes.

The APhA Foundation's new effort, Project IMPACT: Diabetes, IMProving America's Communities Together, will fully integrate pharmacists into the health care team in an effort to address some of the challenges faced by participants living with diabetes. Letters of support have already been received from a preliminary group of partner organizations including the American Pharmacists Association, the Center for Health Value Innovation, Giant Food Stores, HHS Office of Women's Health, the National Diabetes Education Program, U.S. Health Resource Services Administration Pharmacy Services Support Center and Walgreens.

"Diabetes is a growing problem in the United States, commented Benjamin M. Bluml, the APhA Foundation's Vice President for Research. "It is estimated that there are 23.6 million people living with diabetes in the U.S. and another 57 million with pre-diabetes. To make matters worse, only 17.9 million people are actually diagnosed with diabetes, and of those 3 million people are not being treated and another 9 million people are not being treated successfully.

Bluml continued, "Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health care providers available to the patient, and their collaborative care efforts with patients, physicians, and other health care providers have consistently helped people with diabetes improve therapeutic outcomes, increase activity, and lead healthier lives. Project IMPACT: Diabetes presents a unique opportunity to connect more patients to an inter-disciplinary health care team with a whole person orientation within the context of their community. Working with the 'Together on Diabetes' initiative and our national partners, we look forward to creating a meaningful framework for getting more evidence-based diabetes care to the people who need it the most!"

Source:
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation
American Pharmacists Association Foundation

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The American Diabetes Association Encourages People To Take Control Of Their Health On World Diabetes Day

Main Category: Diabetes
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During American Diabetes Month® this November, the American Diabetes Association will join the International Diabetes Federation to raise awareness of diabetes on November 14 -- World Diabetes Day. November 14 is the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the co-discoverer of insulin.

This year's World Diabetes Day theme is Diabetes Education and Prevention. The 2010 slogan is Let's Take Control of Diabetes. Now. The campaign aims to highlight diabetes symptoms and prevention measures, among other things.

"Diabetes is a serious epidemic facing not only our nation, but the world. It is the leading cause of blindness, kidney disease and amputations, plus it doubles your risk of heart attack and stroke," commented Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, PhD, RD, President-Elect, Health Care & Education, American Diabetes Association. "But knowing the signs and symptoms of diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, can help with early detection and treatment. Type 2 diabetes and many diabetes complications can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle intervention."

Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. Another 57 million Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation, more than 285 million people worldwide have diabetes.

During World Diabetes Day and throughout November's American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association is encouraging greater awareness of a disease that kills more Americans each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.

Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem harmless:

Type 1 diabetes symptoms

Frequent urination
Unusual thirst
Extreme hunger
Unusual weight loss
Extreme fatigue and irritability

Type 2 diabetes symptoms*

Any of the type 1 symptoms
Frequent infections
Blurred vision
Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections
*Often people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms.

"Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Thirty minutes a day, five days a week, of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) and a 7% reduction in body weight (or about 15 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds) can help lower your risk for type 2 diabetes," commented Mayer-Davis. "In addition, many diabetes complications, whether you have type 1 or type 2, can be prevented or delayed with exercise and healthy eating."

Source:
American Diabetes Association

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During American Diabetes Month(R), The Future Of Diabetes Is In Your Hands

Main Category: Diabetes
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What:

During American Diabetes Month this November, the American Diabetes Association is teaming up with Bret Michaels, musician and winner of NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice," and rallying Americans to take action and join the movement to Stop Diabetes.

Anyone can join the movement by choosing to submit a 30-second video showing their passion and commitment to the movement in the "Share Your Vision to Stop Diabetes" video contest, becoming an advocate for the cause, learning how to survive the holidays, giving of their time and passion, or donating funds to support diabetes research, information, and advocacy programs.

Who:

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

When:

November 8, 2010

Why:

With nearly 24 million children and adults afflicted with the disease in the U.S. and an additional 57 million at risk for type 2 diabetes, diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. If current trends continue, one out of three children will face a future with diabetes.

How:

Let your viewers/listeners/readers know about the seriousness of diabetes during American Diabetes Month and encourage them to join the Stop Diabetes movement. Interviews with an American Diabetes Association spokesperson are available upon request.

Source:
American Diabetes Association

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