American Diabetes Association Applauds U.S. Senators for Fighting Diabetes in Minority Communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Senator Lautenberg and Senator Isakson introduce Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2008(DPAC)

Alexandria, VA (May 6, 2008) – The American Diabetes Association (ADA) applauds Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Senator Johnny Isakson, (R-GA) for introducing the Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2008 (DPAC) today. This legislation urges Congress to support improvements in diabetes care, prevention, treatment and education for minority populations. The Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2007, is the companion bill in the House of Representatives, which was introduced by Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Representative Mike Castle (R-DE). Both versions seek to improve care, prevention, treatment, and education about diabetes within minority communities, and to address the unique challenges faced by these populations in fighting diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), minorities—Hispanics, African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, and American Indians and Alaskan Natives—suffer from the highest incidence of diabetes and its complications. Additionally, one in three children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime, and the epidemic is growing even more rapidly in minority populations.

“Diabetes has emerged as the greatest public health crisis of the 21st century, and among minority communities the footprint of this disease is even greater,” said John Anderson, MD, Chair of the National Advocacy Committee, ADA. “With legislation like DPAC, Senator Lautenberg and Senator Isakson, raise the level of awareness about diabetes and the level of care in underserved communities.”

If enacted, this legislation would call for a coordinated effort from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and, the Indian Health Service (IHS) to curb present trends in minority communities.

Today, nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States – or 7 percent of the population – have diabetes. Approximately one third of those are not aware that they have the disease. Each day, approximately 4,110 people are diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States. Since 1987, the death rate due to diabetes has increased by 45 percent, while the death rates due to heart disease, stroke, and cancer have declined.

About the American Diabetes Association

The ADA is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. The Association’s advocacy efforts include helping to combat discrimination against people with diabetes; advocating for the increase of federal diabetes research and programs; and improved access to, and quality of, healthcare for people with diabetes. The ADA’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association provides service to hundreds of communities across the country. For more information, please visit www.diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.