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DIABETES PROGRAM APPROPRIATIONS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Diabetes Program is presently funded at $_____ million. This year, CDC will provide minimal support ($250,000 avg.) to 34 states for core diabetes control programs, and greater support ($800,000 avg.) to at least 16 states for comprehensive programs.

We support a FY2002 appropriation of $100 million. The proposed increase will enable all states to expand their efforts and have comprehensive programs. Our funding request also will allow CDC to adequately fund the National Diabetes Education Program, Community Based Initiatives, a National Diabetes Prevention Center, local, state, and regional public health surveillance, and applied prevention and laboratory research.

Basic Facts About Diabetes

Approximately 15.7 million Americans have diabetes. About 2,200 new cases are diagnosed each day in our Nation.

The American Diabetes Assn. estimates that this disease costs the nation $98 billion a year in medical care, lost wages, and disability.

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults. If people with diabetes receive appropriate screening and care, up to 90% of diabetes-related blindness could be prevented (about 16,200 individuals a year), resulting in federal government annual savings that could exceed $470 million.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, affecting almost 33,000 new individuals each year. Diabetes-related kidney failure could be reduced by 50%, preventing roughly 16,500 cases. The total first-year cost of treating these preventable cases is about $842 million.

More than half of lower-limb amputations occur among people with diabetes; 86,000 diabetes-related amputations are performed annually, costing more than $860 million in hospitalization costs alone. With appropriate assessment and patient education, about 43,000 diabetes-related amputations could be prevented each year, a 50% reduction.

CDC's Diabetes Program

CDC supports state and territorial diabetes control programs aimed at reducing the complications associated with diabetes. These programs seek to educate people with diabetes and health professionals about the disease and its complications. The programs identify high-risk populations, support early detection and treatment of complications, help improve the quality of diabetes care, and enhance access to diabetes care by improving and expanding services.

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