Clinton to Speak on Need to Change Diabetes Care

What: Global Changing Diabetes Leadership Forum

When: March 13, 2007

Where: New York City, NY

Keynote Speaker: Former President Bill Clinton

Sponsor: Hosted by Novo Nordisk and supported by the International Diabetes Federation

Agenda:

"Diabetes will constitute the most significant public health challenge of the 21st century if no action is taken now. It is already causing as many deaths as HIV/AIDS. We need to explore practical ways of redefining healthcare, by focusing on the needs of people with diabetes."
- Lars Rebien Sorensen, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk.

Although the forum will be held in New York, it serves an international community and is expected to be attended by at least 18 countries.

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For Novo Nordisk press release:
Clinton Joins Novo Nordisk Forum

ADA's 66th Scientific Session Highlights

The Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of the American Diabetes Association, Dr. Richard Kahn, has posted a blog listing his highlights for the ADA's Sessions:

Richard's D.C. Diary

It's a nice overview of some of the weekend's presentations. Besides the topics I've mentioned in previous posts, his include:

• You Are What Your Mother Ate
  
• Clinical Inertia
  
• How Good is "Good" Cholesterol
  
• The New A1C
  
• Oral Insulin?
  
• Lose Weight by Eating Breakfast
  
• Pregnancy and Physical Activity
  
• Insulin and Longevity
  
• Taste
  
• Bariatric Surgery
  
• Intensive Therapy and Cognitive Ability

His entries are brief, interesting and written in lay man's terms. It's worth a visit.

"Call to Congress" This June in Washington

Last October, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) distributed results of a government study which showed a rise in cases of diabetes:

"Newly released statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) illustrate that diabetes has risen by over 14 percent in the last two years. The CDC estimates that 20.8 million Americans – 7 percent of the U.S. population – have diabetes, up from 18.2 million in 2003."
- ADA press release - October 26, 2005

Despite that news, when Congress passed its 2006 appropriations bill last year, it:

• Cut funding to the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation by $300,000. This marked the first time this division's funding was cut.
  
  
• Cut funding to the NIH's National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) by $9 million.
  - ADA press release - December 22, 2005

Unfortunately, the White House's proposed budget for 2007 continues to slash funds for these programs:

" ... the Bush Administration recently proposed a budget that would cut funding for diabetes prevention at CDC for the second straight year."

"The Administration also proposed in its budget an $11 million cut to the NIDDK."
- ADA press release - March 30, 2006

Hearings to address diabetes funding are ongoing. The ADA's "Call to Congress", a notable event that rounds up grassroots support, will rally in Washington this June:

"Throughout the year, policy makers will hear from diabetes advocates, including at the ADA’s “Call to Congress,” June 7-9, when hundreds of diabetes advocates from across the country will meet with members of Congress to urge an increase in funding for diabetes research and prevention."
- ADA press release - March 30, 2006

If you'd like to take part in this year's Call to Congress, visit the ADA's information and registration page.

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ADA press release October 26, 2005 (pdf)
Newly-released CDC Study on Diabetes Reflects Growing Diabetes Epidemic

ADA press release December 22, 2005 (pdf)
Year in Review: Federal Commitment to Diabetes Prevention Falters in 2005 as Diabetes Epidemic Grows

ADA press release March 30, 2006 (pdf)
American Diabetes Association Urges Congress to Increase CDC Diabetes Prevention Funding by $20.8 Million: One Dollar for Every American with Diabetes

ADA's Call to Congress info and registration:
Call to Congress: Conquer Diabetes An event bringing Diabetes Advocates and their elected officials together in Washington, DC