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American Diabetes Association Applauds Funding for National Diabetes Prevention Program

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®.

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.