Diabetes Advocacy Alliance to Raise Awareness of the Costs, Complications, and Potential Solutions to Predicted Diabetes Epidemic

Capitol Hill Briefing Set For May 10

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- By 2025, the number of people with diabetes will swell by 64% to more than 50 million Americans in all, according to projections by the Institute for Alternative Futures.  The costs will swamp the health care system, with a price tag of almost $514 billion—an amount comparable to the total budget of today's Medicare program and a 72% increase from 2010.

In an effort to raise awareness about this largely avoidable diabetes epidemic—its costs, complications and some evidence-based prevention strategies—the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance (DAA) is sponsoring a Capitol Hill briefing on May 10 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 340-B.  The briefing will address the distinction between type 1 diabetes (commonly referred to as Juvenile Diabetes), which accounts for approximately 5% of those diagnosed, and type 2 diabetes, which continues to escalate to record-setting levels.

The DAA is a coalition of 13 organizations seeking change in how policymakers and others perceive and approach the problem of diabetes in the US.  "Diabetes is a huge and growing problem," said DAA co-chair, Martha Rinker, Chief  Advocacy Officer of the American Association of Diabetes Educators.  "In many ways, diabetes is bigger than all of us.  That's one of the primary reasons why this broad coalition of organizations has come together and one of the reasons we believe it is critical to inform policymakers about the human and economic impact."

The session will feature a distinguished panel of experts that will be moderated by former Miss America Nicole Johnson, MA, MPH, Executive Director, University of South Florida's "Bringing Science Home."  Speakers will discuss the issues and strategies for improving health and lessening the economic impact of the disease. Topics will include:

• an overview of types 1 and 2 diabetes, as well as pre-diabetes
• the escalating prevalence and economic cost burden associated with diabetes and pre-diabetes
• effective, low-cost solutions to help individuals with pre-diabetes delay or prevent a full-blown type 2 diabetes diagnosis
• evidence-based interventions and self-management tools to help manage diabetes and its complications
• the impact of diabetes worksite wellness programs on productivity and cost

"We've seen policy reshape how this nation prevents public health challenges such as car passenger safety in seat belt laws, preventing seasonal flu through vaccination, and saving children's lives through car seat and bicycle helmet requirements," said DAA co-chair, Dr. Michael Duenas, Associate Director, Health Sciences and Policy at the American Optometric Association.  "We need to have that same sort of attention paid to those at risk for type 2 diabetes."

About the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance

The Diabetes Advocacy Alliance is a coalition of diverse organizations and groups representing patients, providers, and a range of health care professionals, all committed to addressing the growing threats from diabetes.  Members currently include the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Association of Diabetes Educators, American Clinical Laboratory Association, American Diabetes Association, American Dietetic Association, American Optometric Association, Medicare Diabetes Screening Project, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Novo Nordisk, Inc., Results for Life, The Endocrine Society, VSP Vision Care, and YMCA of the USA.

To RSVP for the May 10 briefing contact: [email protected]

Contact: Ron Geigle
202-461-2246 [email protected]

SOURCE Diabetes Advocacy Alliance

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