Federal Funding for Research and Diabetes Prevention Programs

A greater federal commitment to diabetes research and prevention funding is critical in the fight against diabetes. As such, the American Diabetes Association continues to lobby Congress and the Administration to increase funding for diabetes research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and diabetes treatment and prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

ADA strongly urges the 110th Congress to pass a budget that increases CDC diabetes prevention and treatment efforts by $20.8 million and NIH diabetes research funding by 8 percent ($148.4 million). While these are difficult demands in the current fiscal environment, where non-defense dollars are scarce, these numbers reflect the reality of the diabetes burden in the United States.

On February 5, 2008, the Bush Administration announced its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2009. The next step if for Congress to vote on a budget resolution that would determine if there will be any additional funds added to the overall discretionary budget amount.  At that point the House and Senate will take turns composing the individual bills.  Afterward the Congressional bodies will conference the two bills and present a singular package to the President for his signature.

The CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT) leads the government’s effort to provide comprehensive prevention and treatment programs in communities throughout the United States. DDT runs state-based Diabetes Prevention and Control Programs, which take medical research – such as that sponsored by NIH – and translates it into practices and programs that can be used in local communities. These programs help those currently suffering from diabetes better control and manage the disease and also help those at risk for diabetes prevent or delay its onset. Unfortunately, current funding levels only allow the Division of Diabetes Translation to provide full support for 28 states.

NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is the primary government agency that conducts research into a cure and better treatments for diabetes. Because of budget cuts, cutting edge research has been limited, and a number of scientists have been forced to explore alternative sources of funding outside the federal government.

It is vital that members of Congress hear why greater funding is needed for both the NIH and CDC, particularly as the diabetes epidemic intensifies. Please visit the Action Center to find out what you can do!

Additional Information
Press releases:

03-12-08 - ADA Urges Congress to Increase Funding for Essential Research and Prevention Programs
02-04-08 - Statement of the American Diabetes Association on the Administration's Proposal to Undermine Funds for Research, Prevention and Treatment in FY09