American Diabetes Association (ADA), Members of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus to Hold Briefing on Devastating Toll of Diabetes

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Related Links: All Press Releases Advocacy Action Center Diabetes Care Contact: Shana Starkand 703-549-1500, ext. 2622 sstarkand@diabetes.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

*** ADVISORY *** ADVISORY *** ADVISORY

Members of Congress, ADA, and experts to discuss Economic impact of diabetes January 23, briefing in Rayburn House Office Building

ALEXANDRIA, VA (January 18, 2008) – The American Diabetes Association (ADA), members of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus and diabetes experts, will host a congressional briefing, Wednesday, January 23 at 1 p.m. in 2218 Rayburn House Office Building to discuss the annual diabetes cost estimates for 2007, which were compiled in a study by the Lewin Group on behalf of the ADA. During this briefing, speakers will release staggering new figures about the direct and indirect costs of the disease, and reveal the devastating expense incurred by Americans.

Invited speakers include leaders from the Congressional Diabetes Caucus: Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO), Mike Castle (R-DE), Xavier Becerra (D-CA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL); Stewart Perry, Chairman of the Board, ADA; Ann L. Albright, PhD, RD, President, Health Care & Education, ADA; Griffin Rodgers, MD, MACP, Director, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and Ed Gregg, PhD, Chief, Epidemiology and Statistics Branch, Division of Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by 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.

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What: The American Diabetes Association, along with Members of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus and diabetes experts will hold a briefing on new diabetes cost estimates and the economic impact of the disease.

When:  Wednesday, January 23 at 1 p.m.

Where: 2218 Rayburn House Office Building

Who: Invited speakers include leaders from the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO), Mike Castle (R-DE), Xavier Becerra (D-CA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL); Stewart Perry, Chairman of the Board, ADA; Ann L. Albright, PhD, RD, President, Health Care and Education, ADA; Griffin Rodgers, MD, MACP, Director, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and Ed Gregg, PhD, Chief, Epidemiology and Statistics Branch, Division of Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

**Members of the media are welcome to attend the diabetes briefing. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Shana
Starkand at sstarkand@diabetes.org or 703-549-1500 ex. 2622

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About the ADA
The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy.  Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the country, providing services to hundreds of communities. The Association’s commitment to research is reflected through its scientific meetings; education and provider recognition programs; and its Research Foundation and Nationwide Research Program, which fund breakthrough studies looking into the cure, prevention, and treatment of diabetes and its complications.  For more information, visit diabetes.org or call 800-DIABETES (800-342-2383).