ALEXANDRIA, VA, Feb 14, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) —
The American Diabetes Association applauds the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) for providing $10 million in Fiscal
Year 2012 funding for the National Diabetes Prevention Program from
the Prevention and Public Health Fund.
The National Diabetes Prevention Program is a network of
evidence-based lifestyle intervention programs in communities across
the country based on the successful Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)
clinical trial completed by the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.
The DPP found that individuals with the highest risk for type 2
diabetes — those with prediabetes — could reduce their risk for the
disease by 58 percent. Seniors reduced their risk by 71 percent.
Further studies showed these results can be replicated in a community
setting for a lower cost. The National Diabetes Prevention Program,
authorized by Congress in 2010, is made up of these community
programs. It has been estimated that this less costly model could
save $191 billion in health care costs over ten years if brought to a
nationwide scale.
“Expansion of the National Diabetes Prevention Program will allow
more Americans with prediabetes to participate in a proven program to
lower their risk for type 2 diabetes and its dangerous
complications,” said L. Hunter Limbaugh, Chair of the Board, American
Diabetes Association. “By putting this program in our communities, we
are also making good on our investment into the groundbreaking
National Institutes of Health research that showed we can prevent
diabetes and we are helping to reduce long term healthcare costs.”
The Association applauds the funding for the National Diabetes
Prevention Program, but remains concerned about future cuts to the
Prevention and Public Health Fund proposed as part of President
Obama’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget request. Proposed cuts to the
Prevention and Public Health Fund are a dangerous step backwards in
our efforts to prevent disease, reduce healthcare costs and Stop
Diabetes(R).
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.
Contact:
Lauren Gleason
703-549-1500 ext. 2622
lgleason@diabetes.org
SOURCE: American Diabetes Association
mailto:lgleason@diabetes.org
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