American Diabetes Association Reflects on 2008 Accompli...

American Diabetes Association Reflects on 2008 Accomplishments in the Fight Against Diabetes and Looks Ahead to Challenges in 2009

American Diabetes Association Reflects on 2008 Accomplishments in the Fight Against Diabetes and Looks Ahead to Challenges in 2009
January 8, 2009
eMedia World

ALEXANDRIA, VA--(eMediaWorld - January 8, 2009) - The American Diabetes Association, the nation's largest and leading voluntary health organization in the fight against diabetes, is working to change the future of diabetes. While 2008 was a year of challenges for many Americans with diabetes, it was also a year in which the Association has demonstrated its leadership in the fight against diabetes. What follows are some of the major accomplishments in the diabetes community that the Association is celebrating from 2008, as well as a look ahead to the continued challenges the Association faces on behalf of those with, or at risk for, diabetes in the year to come.

2008 Accomplishments include:

Research Funding

In 2008, the American Diabetes Association provided $42.5 million toward funding research to combat type 1 and type 2 diabetes in people of all ages and races. This research is key to all people affected by diabetes as it has a significant impact on prevention, treatment, and the search for a cure. Since its inception, the American Diabetes Association has invested more than $500 million and provided funding for more than 4,000 research projects in the fight against diabetes. Donations raised by the American Diabetes Association go to support the thousands of researchers who are working toward a common goal -- a day without diabetes.

A significant legislative victory that was a major break through for the diabetes community came with the extension of two programs funding diabetes research, prevention, and education at the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In July, Congress voted to extend the Special Diabetes Programs for Indians and the Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research until 2011. This extension means an additional $600 million in federal funding for diabetes research, prevention, and treatment programs.

Fighting Discrimination Against People with Diabetes

This year's passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act is another success in the fight against diabetes and the discrimination that may come with having a chronic disease. This legislation, which is the most significant piece of anti-discrimination legislation for people with diabetes since the original Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, restores the true intent of the landmark law and ensures that people with diabetes and other serious illnesses are protected from discrimination.

Health Reform

The Association has been meeting with a number of professional, business, medical groups and Congressional staff to discuss Health Reform recommendations from the Association to benefit people with diabetes. Key principals of the Association's recommendations focus on the need for accessible, affordable and adequate health care coverage for people with diabetes. Nearly 30,000 people have signed a petition to be delivered after the inauguration to President-elect Barack Obama and the 111th Congress to make health reform a top priority.

Creating A Healthy Environment

The American Diabetes Association works with the diabetes community to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people with diabetes. To pursue this mission, the Association continues to provide people of all ages, ethnicity and backgrounds with access to credible, reliable information and support through community programs that reach people where they live, work, play and worship.

To provide support to children with diabetes and their families, the American Diabetes Association continues to be the largest provider of Diabetes Camps as well as weekend retreats and one-day events that benefit more than 10,000 children of all ages and their families each year.

Curing diabetes is the ultimate aim of the American Diabetes Association's efforts. And although that cure is still elusive, the foundation of information and research continues to grow annually, pushing us toward a cure. In the meantime, we continue to fight.

To learn more about these accomplishments for people with diabetes in 2008, visit http://www.diabetes.org/uedocuments/2008Accomplishments-AmericanDiabetesAssociation.pdf.

But until there is a cure, we have an urgent mission to continue to fight diabetes and effectively communicate why research, advocacy, education, prevention and cure for this dreadful and deadly disease are so vitally important to all Americans affected by diabetes.

The challenges are great. If present trends continue, one in three children born in the United States will develop diabetes in their lifetime. The cost of diagnosed diabetes in this country has now risen to $174 billion and one in five health care dollars is spent on someone diagnosed with diabetes. Since 1987, the death rate due to diabetes has increased by 45 percent and people with diabetes are spending nearly three times the cost on health care than people without diabetes.

In 2009, the American Diabetes Association will focus even more attention on issues related to health reform, particularly as it relates to expansion of health coverage and providing the security of continuous, uninterrupted and affordable health care -- all essential issues for people with diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes 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.