Call To Action Paves Path For Addressing The National Diabetes Epidemic

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Preventive Medicine;??Public Health
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The Task Force for the National Conference on Diabetes issued a Call to Action today entitled Shaping our future: a call to action to tackle the diabetes epidemic and reduce its economic impact. This Call to Action is a result of the National Conference on Diabetes, held earlier this year in Washington, D.C., which was attended by nearly 100 participants representing the Administration, Congress, government officials, public health organizations and industry.

"The Call to Action seeks to address diabetes prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management, as well as to identify the practices and resources required to meet the needs of people with, and at risk for, diabetes," said Steve Edelman, M.D., a practicing endocrinologist and Founder and Director of Taking Control of Your Diabetes, one of the members of the Task Force.

Diabetes currently affects nearly 24 million people in the U.S.(1) and is expected to reach 32 million by 2031.(2) (p.2,l.81-2) Modeling by Milliman, an actuarial firm, indicates that diabetes-related costs could increase from 10 percent of U.S. health expenditures in 2011 ($340 billion) to 15 percent by 2031 ($1.6 trillion).(2) (p.2,l.90-2)

The Call to Action identifies three goals to advance diabetes prevention and treatment, leading to improved health outcomes for people with the disease:

-- Empower and enable people with, or at risk for, diabetes and their communities to do their part in preventing and managing diabetes for better quality of life and health outcomes.

-- For example, identify or develop information for people with diabetes that is accurate, accessible and actionable, including information that is culturally sensitive and takes into account individuals' literacy levels and language preferences; support existing and the creation of new clinical and community-based diabetes prevention, self-management and education programs and support groups, and other initiatives; and encourage public and private collaboration to support communities to build healthier environments, including healthy diet and exercise.

-- Support and promote tools and resources for healthcare professionals to prevent, detect earlier and more effectively treat diabetes.

-- For example, leverage best practices to improve screening for all people at risk for diabetes; and support care coordination activities and new models of care to improve performance in key measures related to diabetes.

-- Support effective implementation, education and awareness of healthcare reform provisions focusing on diabetes care and prevention.

-- For example, communicate to key stakeholders opportunities arising from healthcare reform for improved diabetes prevention and disease management; and ensure people with diabetes have access to the tools and services they need to effectively manage their disease.

The Task Force for the National Conference on Diabetes is comprised of Taking Control of Your Diabetes, National Minority Quality Forum, America's Health Insurance Plans, American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, American Association of Diabetes Educators, American Diabetes Association, The Endocrine Society, National Black Nurses Association, National Business Group on Health and National Council on Aging.

The National Conference on Diabetes was made possible by support from sanofi-aventis U.S.; Becton, Dickinson and Company; Intel Corporation and Walgreens. The Call to Action was made possible by support from sanofi-aventis U.S.

References

(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2008.

(2) Fitch K, Iwasaki K, Pyenson B. Improved Management Can Help Reduce the Economic Burden of Type 2 Diabetes: A 20-Year Actuarial Projection. New York, NY: Milliman, Inc.; April 28, 2010.

Source: National Conference on Diabetes

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Global Obesity Summit 2010 In Jackson Addresses Growing Epidemic At Ground Zero

Main Category: Conferences
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness;??Diabetes;??Pediatrics / Children's Health
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A summit that's both scientific conference and business policy forum aims to place Mississippi on the front lines of fighting obesity and related metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

The Global Obesity Summit 2010, sponsored by the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, runs Nov. 9-11 at the Jackson Convention Complex.

Obesity and related cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are rapidly becoming our most important health problems as well as major economic challenges to health-care systems throughout the country. Mississippi currently leads the nation in obesity in adults as well as in children.

While several programs exist to address obesity in schools, communities and rural populations, Mississippi currently lacks an aggressive, coordinated strategy to expand obesity research, education, clinical treatment and prevention.

Featuring speeches and panel discussions with internationally renowned scientists from Yale University, the Imperial College London and Vanderbilt University, clinicians - including Dr. Kenneth Cooper of the Cooper Clinic and Cooper Institute in Dallas - national and state leaders - including U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius - business luminaries and health-care and economic policymakers, the summit will spur discussion and debate among attendees about actions to address obesity in Mississippi and the nation.

The summit also marks the founding of UMMC's Center for Obesity, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research. Leaders plan to hire and train scientists for the new center who can investigate the mechanics of obesity and metabolic signaling. Already world-recognized in physiology research, UMMC also will continue expanding its investigations into the roles of hormones in obesity.

As is well documented, Mississippi leads the nation in obesity. Heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S., cancer, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes all are closely associated with obesity. Mississippi is a frontrunner in those diseases as well.

Dr. John Hall, UMMC associate vice chancellor for research and the driving force behind the new center, said Mississippi's high rate of obesity and linked diseases is the reason why the Medical Center should be at the forefront of investigating them.

"We are the place where these diseases have the greatest impact, so we also have the greatest opportunity for the study of these diseases," Hall said.

As a researcher and chairman of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Hall and scientists in his lab have long investigated the hormone leptin, which is highly involved in regulating appetite and energy burn rate.

Obesity, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases rapidly have become critical health problems in Mississippi as well as major challenges to the nation's health-care systems. The Centers for Disease Control reported in 2009 that 34.4 percent of adults in Mississippi were obese and 17 percent of children ages 2-19 were obese. Ten years prior, the state's adult obesity rate was less than 30 percent.

"American society has become 'obesogenic,' characterized by environments that promote increased food intake, non-healthful foods and physical inactivity. Policy and environmental change initiatives that make healthy choices in nutrition and physical activity available, affordable and easy will likely prove most effective in combating obesity," the CDC reported.

What's less widely appreciated is how the poor health of our state's workforce passes along hidden costs to businesses.

"The more unhealthful our workforce becomes, the more our costs of health care increase - costs which are already significant," said Duane O'Neill, chamber president and chief executive officer.

"Additionally, businesses lose productivity when employees are repeatedly absent to receive care for preventable diseases."

Reflecting its dual sponsorship by UMMC and the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, the conference offers two tracks: a scientifically oriented set of panel discussions, lectures and talks, and a track for business, health-care industry, policy and public interest.

Business and community leaders involved with the summit include Blake Wilson, president of the Mississippi Economic Council; Amy Ayers, vice president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi; Haley Fisackerly, president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi; Mayo Flint, president of AT&T Mississippi; Dr. Mary Currier, state health officer at the Mississippi Department of Health; and Dr. Jasmine Chapman, CEO of the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center.

The conference is endorsed by the American Physiological Society, the Inter-American Society of Hypertension, the Council for High Blood Pressure Research of the American Heart Association, and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism of the American Heart Association.

Key speakers and events of the Global Obesity Summit 2010 will include: Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will give the keynote address from 8-8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11. She is a former two-term governor of Kansas and former chairwoman of the Democratic Governors Association. In her role at the DHHS, she oversees nationwide public-health initiatives, including the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control, the Biomedical Advanced Research Defense Administration, the Office of the Inspector General and the Administration on Aging. Dr. Kenneth Cooper, known as the "Father of Aerobics," often is credited with pioneering preventive medicine. His 1968 book "Aerobics" promoted the exercise form and became a national best seller. He founded Cooper Aerobics, the parent company for a comprehensive group of health-care, lifestyle and wellness companies, including the Cooper Clinic. Those provide health care, preventive care, exercise instruction, weight loss services, counseling and programmatic assistance to individuals, businesses and industries. He also founded the Cooper Institute to promote research and education. Cooper will be the keynote speaker at the summit's banquet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10. Karen Miller-Kovach, chief scientific officer for Weight Watchers International and inventor of the Weight Watchers points system, will speak at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Her talk, "Addressing Obesity at Work: The Role of the Business Community," will speak directly to concerns of Mississippi's businesses. She also will join former U.S. Sen. Trent Lott and Michael Espy, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, at 10:30 a.m. for a panel discussion on federal policy on Thursday, Nov. 11. Chef Luis Bruno has served as executive chef to three Mississippi governors, owned a restaurant and written a cookbook and is a self-made spokesman for healthful living. After losing 200 pounds and reversing life-threatening health problems, he was commended in 2010 by the Mississippi Senate as an ambassador for healthy lifestyles. His program, "Cooking for Life with Chef Luis Bruno," airs on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. He is director of culinary development at the Hilton in Jackson, which operates the Huntington Grille, Fitzgerald's Lobby Bar and Wellington's Restaurant. Bruno will demonstrate some of his signature healthy cooking techniques, recipes and tips with a session, "Cooking from the Heart," from noon-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10. A video presentation by William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd president of the United States, will be shown at the banquet on Wednesday, Nov. 10. A video presentation by Haley Barbour, governor of Mississippi, will be shown at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10. U.S. Sen. Roger F. Wicker will give a keynote address at the summit's closing reception and dinner, "A Taste of Mississippi," at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Mississippi Museum of Art. U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson will discuss the socioeconomics of obesity at noon on Thursday, Nov. 11. Donna Richardson Joyner, fitness guru, creator of the Body Gospel fitness program and member of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, will speak during the lunch lecture beginning at noon on Thursday, Nov. 11. Trent Lott, former U.S. Senate majority leader, and Michael Espy, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, will participate in a panel discussion on federal policy from 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday, Nov. 11. Dr. Dan Jones, chancellor of the University of Mississippi, will give a keynote address at a breakfast from 8-8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov 11. Source:
Jack Mazurak
University of Mississippi Medical Center Please rate this article:
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Novo Nordisk And Entertainment Industries Council Work Together To Improve Public Education And Awareness About Diabetes Epidemic

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Public Health
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Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, and the Entertainment Industries Council (EIC) are launching a collaborative project to enhance dialogue among local diabetes experts, policy makers and the media to improve public awareness of the key issues associated with diabetes management.

The locally-based effort will include Picture This forums, hosted in collaboration with KING-TV (NBC) in Seattle and WPVI-TV (ABC) in Philadelphia. The forums include an open discussion among diabetes stakeholders and the media to identify top diabetes communication challenges, explore strategies to address those priorities and strengthen community understanding about diabetes through news media and community affairs programs. Currently, 7% of the Seattle population and 13% of the Philadelphia population is living with diabetes.(1,2)

"Novo Nordisk is proud to join EIC, the media and community leaders in Seattle and Philadelphia to explore ways to improve how diabetes is communicated about and understood by local citizens," said Dr. Tony Deluzio, Senior Medical Director at Novo Nordisk. "As the prevalence of diabetes continues to be on the rise, bringing together those on the frontline of diabetes care will open the potential to reduce the stigma associated with diabetes and empower those affected by the disease to lead full and productive lives."

James Avery, an actor best known for his role as Phillip Banks, the uncle of Will Smith's character on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, will participate in the Seattle and Philadelphia forums as a celebrity ambassador to the initiative. Mr. Avery, who is living with type 2 diabetes, hopes that his participation will elevate diabetes to top-of-mind status in the media and inspire stories about the real issues faced by the diabetes community.

"Having lived with type 2 diabetes for over 15 years, I understand the challenges patients face with overall diabetes management and taking control of the disease," said Avery. "I am supporting Picture This because the community will benefit from more informed news reporting on diabetes issues that matter to patients."

The Picture This forums will take place on Friday, October 22, 2010, at KING-TV (NBC) studios in Seattle and on Thursday, November 18, 2010, at the studios of WPVI-TV (ABC) in Philadelphia.

"The Picture This forums drive an open dialogue between thought leaders and the media community to dispel diabetes myths and accurately depict the realities of this public health challenge," said Brian Dyak, President & CEO, Entertainment Industries Council. "Our goal is to establish ongoing relationships to determine the most pressing diabetes-related concerns in Seattle and Philadelphia and address those priorities through news coverage and community service activities."

About Diabetes

Every 21 seconds another American is diagnosed with diabetes.(3) Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes and another 57 million have diabetes and are at risk for developing the disease.(4) On its current course, the number of people with diabetes is projected to nearly double to 44.1 million by 2034 due in large part to the aging of the baby boomer population and increased rates of overweight Americans and obesity.(5)

Diabetes cannot yet be cured, but it can be managed. With the proper diet, exercise, regular blood sugar testing and treatment therapy, people living with diabetes can lead full and active lives. If left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to severe health complications, including blindness, kidney disease, foot amputations, heart disease and stroke. Insulin therapy, discovered nearly 90 years ago, remains one of the most significant discoveries in the field of medicine and continues to be a mainstay of diabetes treatment as a way to reduce the risk of developing serious complications.(6)

Diabetes in Seattle

In 2010, over 233,500 people living in Seattle have diabetes. About 51.400 of them have not yet been diagnosed. Another 645,600 people in Seattle have pre-diabetes, a condition in which the blood sugar level is higher than normal but not yet in the range for diabetes. The overall costs of diabetes for the Seattle Metro Area will be $2.4 billion in 2010. Based on current forecasts, the number of people with diabetes in the Seattle Metro Area will increase to over 392,000 by 2025.(7)

Diabetes in Philadelphia

According to the Public Health Management Corporation Household Health Survey, conducted in 2008, 13% of adults in Philadelphia have identified with ever having diabetes.(8)

References

(1) Institute for Alternative Futures, Diabetes 2025 Forecasts, September 201. Seattle Metropolitan Area Diabetes Data Summary (Including Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue).

(2) http://www.phila.gov/health/pdfs/PDPH_overview.pdf

(3) American Diabetes Association. I Decide to Fight Diabetes Fact Sheet.

(4) 007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control Web site.

(5) Huang et al (2009) Projecting the Future Diabetes Population Size and Related Costs for the U.S. Diabetes Care, December 2009,Vol. 32, No 12, 2225-2229

(6) Dall et al. The Economic Burden of Diabetes. Health Affairs. 29, NO. 2 (2010)

(7) 2025 Diabetes Forecasts for State and Metropolitan Areas Study by the Institute for Alternative Futures utilizes a national model from Narayan, Impact of Recent Increase in Incidence on Future Diabetes Burden, Diabetes Care 2006;29:2114-2116; US Census Bureau population estimates; latest CDC national diabetes statistics and state prevalence rates; and ADA and Lewin Group diabetes costs

(8) http://www.phila.gov/health/pdfs/PDPH_overview.pdf

Source: Novo Nordisk

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