American Diabetes Association: Support Life-Changing Diabetes Research and Programs

Support Life-Changing Diabetes Research and Programs

The Special Diabetes Program (SDP) must be renewed. Although Congress has temporarily extended SDP, it expires soon—on November 21. Congress needs to agree to a long-term extension before SDP expires or it will cease to exist.

Because of SDP, we’ve seen better diabetes treatments, advances in prevention studies, and research moving us closer to a cure. This summer, two groundbreaking SDP-funded trials underscored the importance of this federal program—including a drug that delayed the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes by TWO years in high-risk individuals, and an SDP-funded study of an artificial pancreas system that improved glucose management! Also, a May report showed that SDP has contributed to a huge cost savings for Medicare because of reduced kidney disease rates.

But this progress is threatened. We need to make sure Congress takes action to renew the program. Please support a multi-year renewal of this critical program by contacting your legislators today using the form below.

Why do you care about type 1 diabetes research, and/or type 2 diabetes prevention among Native Americans? Personalizing your letter is important.

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Why the Special Diabetes Program Needs a Long-Term Renewal

Dear [Decision Maker],

As you know, the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) supports millions of Americans affected by diabetes and prediabetes. But unless SDP is renewed before funding expires, future discoveries will be jeopardized. SDP is comprised of two important components: the Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research (SDP-type 1) and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI).

While I appreciate that Congress extended SDP as part of the continuing resolution, short-term extensions make it difficult for the federal agencies that administer this funding to invest in the best research toward a cure or provide diabetes treatment and prevention in the communities that need it most.

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At the American Diabetes Association's 79th Scientific Sessions in June, two major SDP-funded research breakthroughs were announced, highlighting the importance of this federal program:

An immunotherapy drug delayed the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes by two years in those at highest risk. Participants in this study had family members with type 1 diabetes and had either abnormal blood glucose levels or at least two autoantibodies (which lead to autoimmune diseases).A six-month study of an artificial pancreas system showed that it outperforms standard insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring. The artificial pancreas system was found to improve blood glucose of the study participants living with type 1 diabetes, which is key in preventing devastating and costly complications of the disease.

Likewise, the SDPI is having a significant and positive impact on the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN), who are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes. Due to a reduction in cases of end-stage kidney disease--at least partially thanks to the Special Diabetes Program--Medicare has saved nearly half a billion dollars over a decade of the program. The SDPI is making it possible to develop and sustain quality diabetes treatment and prevention programs in AI/AN communities.

Diabetes is our country's most costly disease in both human and economic terms, affecting people of all ages, races, and in every region of our country. The total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2017 was $327 billion, with $237 billion for direct medical costs and another $90 billion due to reduced productivity.

Immediate long-term renewal of the Special Diabetes will bring hope to the millions of Americans impacted by diabetes. Please support the longest possible renewal of the SDP. Thank you in advance for your support, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]