Purpose

The National Diabetes Education Program is a federally-sponsored initiative that involves public and private partners to improve the treatment and outcomes for people with diabetes, to promote early diagnosis, and to prevent the onset of diabetes.

Sponsors

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Division of Diabetes Translation of the Centers for Control and Prevention (CDC) jointly sponsor the program with the participation of over 200 partner organizations.

Need

Current scientific evidence demonstrates that much of the morbidity and morality of diabetes can be prevented or delayed by aggressive treatment with diet, exercise, and new pharmacology approaches to normalize blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and lipids. Further, research now shows that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in the 41 million people with pre-diabetes-about 40 percent of U.S. adults, ages 40-74 - who are at high risk for the disease through modest weight loss and regular physical activity.

Goal

The goal of the program is to reduce the illness and deaths associated with diabetes and its complications.

Objectives

The National Diabetes Education Program's objectives are:

· To increase awareness of the seriousness of diabetes, its risk factors, and strategies for preventing diabetes and its complications among at risk groups.

· To improve understanding about diabetes and its control and to promote better self- management behaviors among people with diabetes.

· To improve health care providers' under standing of diabetes and its control and to promote an integrated approach to care.

· To promote health care policies that improve the quality of and access to dia betes care.

· To reduce disparities in health in racial and ethnic populations disproportionately affected by diabetes.