Special Diabetes Program

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 03 Jul 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Volunteers representing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) have presented Senator Byron Dorgan with the 2008 Congressional Leadership Award for his leadership on extending the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) in Congress.

The SDP includes two programs - the Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research which funds type 1 diabetes research through the NIH, and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) which funds prevention, treatment and education programs for Native Americans with type 2 diabetes through the Indian Health Service. Both programs have demonstrated a real return on the federal investment and are transforming the lives of people with diabetes.

"The Special Type 1 Diabetes Research Program is accelerating our effort to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. There are now over 60,000 people across the country involved in clinical research directly supported by this important program, and the program is leading to the development of new technologies and therapies that are changing lives today." said Larry Soler, VP for Government Relations at the JDRF. "I am pleased that Senator Dorgan is being recognized today for his efforts in Congress to ensure that this critical program continues."

"Federal funding for programs such as SDPI has given Indian health programs and Tribal communities the resources and the tools they need to both prevent and treat diabetes," said Yvette Roubideaux, MD, MPH, Chair of the Awakening the Spirit program, American Diabetes Association. "It funds 66 prevention demonstration projects and over 300 community directed programs, allowing local Tribes and health programs to set priorities that meet the needs of their people, whether it be prevention activities or treatment - Senator Dorgan has been a leader and champion for SDP and we applaud him for his commitment to this important program."

"The rates of diabetes for Indians are the highest in the U.S., with rates as high as 60 percent in some of our tribal communities," said Buford Rolin, Vice-Chair of the NIHB and Co-Chair of the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee. "Over the last ten years, the SDPI activities has had a positive impact in our communities - we have seen a decrease in blood sugar levels resulting in improved quality of life. Senator Dorgan knows that without reauthorization, all of our accomplishments will be lost. We commend the Senator's dedication for improving health care of Indian people and are honored to present him with this award."

Senator Dorgan has authored legislation to extend the SDP for an additional five years, and the bill currently has 48 co-sponsors in the Senate. As Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, he has also worked to raise awareness about the significant progress that has been made in tribal communities struggling with diabetes.

"I am deeply honored by this award from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the other organizations represented here today, and I plan to keep pushing for policies that will support innovative ways to deal with this disease," Dorgan said. "Diabetes is a serious problem that hits our American Indian communities particularly hard. It's important that we find ways to educate the public about how to prevent diabetes and how to treat it effectively once they have been diagnosed."

Last year, Congress renewed the Special Diabetes Program for an additional year as part of the Medicare bill, and this year Senator Dorgan is working hard to ensure that Congress renews the program for an additional two years as part of the Medicare bill under discussion to ensure that the important programs continue.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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About JDRF:

JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease which strikes suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.16 billion to diabetes research, including more than $137 million in FY2007. In FY2007, the Foundation funded 700 centers, grants and fellowships in 20 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.jdrf.org/.

About ADA:

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 http://www.diabetes.org/. Information is available in English and Spanish."

About NIHB:

Established in 1972, NIHB serves Federally Recognized AI/AN tribal governments by advocating for the improvement of health care delivery to AI/ANs, as well as upholding the federal government's trust responsibility to AI/ANs. We strive to advance the level and quality of health care and the adequacy of funding for health services that are operated by the IHS, programs operated directly by Tribal Governments, and other programs. Our Board Members represent each of the twelve Areas of IHS and are elected at-large by the respective Tribal Governmental Officials within their Area. NIHB is the only national organization solely devoted to the improvement of Indian health care on behalf of the Tribes.

Source: Jillian Lubarsky
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International