AARP Receives American Diabetes Association's Distinguished Service Award

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 27 Nov 2007 - 4:00 PDT

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The American Diabetes Association (ADA), the nation's leading voluntary health organization in the fight against diabetes, announced that AARP received the Association's prestigious C. Everett Koop Medal for Health Promotion and Awareness at the organization's Community Volunteer Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting on November 17, in St. Louis, Missouri.

The C. Everett Koop Medal for Health Promotion and Awareness honors excellence in wellness promotion and disease prevention. Named for former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Koop, the award is not limited to efforts in diabetes.

"On behalf of the American Diabetes Association, we are delighted to present this prestigious award to AARP," commented John Buse, MD, PhD, President, Medicine & Science, American Diabetes Association. "Their contributions to the diabetes community and dedication to diabetes awareness directly support ADA's mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people living with diabetes."

One of the most influential membership organizations in the U.S., throughout its long history AARP has placed particular emphasis on ensuring that all Americans have access to adequate and affordable health care coverage, and stressed the need for the health care system to provide a primary focus on prevention practices and treatment of chronic diseases. With more than 39 million members, AARP plays a pivotal role and joins with other organizations like the American Diabetes Association to create powerful public campaigns to address a broad spectrum of issues critical to wellness promotion and disease prevention.

Through its presidential election messaging efforts, AARP continues to build much-needed momentum within the health care reform debate. Making this a major issue in the presidential election campaign is a vital priority for how the U.S. will manage escalating health care costs and access issues in the future.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization of people 50+ that helps individuals have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. AARP produces AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, a monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, a bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, a quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and its Web site, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. It has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body's ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood sugar to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. Nearly 21 million children and adults have diabetes. At least 54 million have pre-diabetes. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the United States and it has no cure.

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.

American Diabetes Association