July 12, 2010 Congressional Briefing

Pre-Diabetes Briefing, in Cooperation with Congressional Diabetes Caucus, Explores Ways to Pull Americans Back From Brink of Diabetes

At 57 million, the number of people with pre-diabetes is more than double that of people who currently have the disease itself. And as many as 40 percent of those with pre-diabetes will become fully diabetic in three to eight years, according to research.

In a Capitol Hill briefing here today, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Diabetes Association, the USDA Food and Nutrition Services, and Kaiser Permanente will discuss recent research supporting practical, evidence-based solutions such as nutrition, exercise, and the HbA1c lab test that can help delay or stop the onset of diabetes in the United States.

The briefing, which is being held in cooperation with Congressional Diabetes Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Diana DeGette and Rep. Mike Castle, is being co-sponsored by Results for Life, the American Diabetes Association, Novo Nordisk, and The Endocrine Society.

Individuals with pre-diabetes face a 50 percent greater chance of heart disease or stroke, as well as increased complications from hypertension, kidney disease, and neurological problems. Pre-diabetes adds an additional $25 billion annually to overall health care spending — this on top of the $174 billion cost of diabetes.

"Recognizing the damage from pre-diabetes and controlling it are critical in the broader battle against diabetes," says David Mongillo, of Results for Life, the educational arm of the American Clinical Laboratory Association. "Research is saying that some of the best ways to do that are through more exercise, better nutrition, and appropriate lab testing."

Speakers at the briefing included:

• David M. Kendall, MD, Chief Scientific & Medical Officer for the American Diabetes Association

• Ann Albright, PhD, RD, Director of the Division of Diabetes Translation for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

• Julie Paradis, Administrator for Food and Nutrition Services at the US Department of Agriculture

• Winston F. Wong, MD, MS, Medical Director, Community Benefit, Director of Disparities Improvement & Quality Initiatives at Kaiser Permanente

Listen to briefing

Speaker Bios

Speaker Presentations: Albright, Kendall, Wong

Agenda

Backgrounder: Short overview on pre-diabetes

Study overview: Recent research on prevalence, screening, prevention, and costs related to pre-diabetes and diabetes

Resources: Web sites for speakers, co-sponsors, and more