American Diabetes Foundation

16 Jul

Posted by admin as diabetes

The American Diabetes Association, or the ADA, is an American health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of communities.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

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23.6 million Americans — or 7.8 percent of the population — have diabetes. Diabetes is among the leading causes of death by disease in the United States. SDPI helps to implement prevention, education and treatment programs in Native American communities. At 17 percent, American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes among all U.S. racial and ethnic groups. Recent government studies have demonstrated that the program’s prevention and treatment efforts — have contributed to significant reductions in diabetes complications in these targeted populations.

ADA and food funders

“If you are wondering why Americans are losing the wars on cancer, heart disease and diabetes, you might look at the funding sources of the major public health groups,” Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman wrote in May 2005. “Big corporations dump big money into these groups. And pretty soon, the groups start taking the line of the big corporations. Case in point: the (ADA). Earlier this month, the ADA cut a deal with candy and soda pop maker Cadbury Schweppes. Here’s the deal - Cadbury Schweppes kicks in a couple million dollars to the ADA. In return, the company gets to use the ADA label on its diet drinks - plus the positive publicity generated by the deal. Cadbury makes Dr. Pepper and such nutritious treats as Cadbury’s Cream Egg. You would have to have your head buried deeply in the sand to deny that sugar-filled soda is fueling childhood obesity - which in turn in is fueling type 2 diabetes.”

Mission And Programs

Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of communities. The mission of the organization is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To fulfill this mission, the American Diabetes Association funds research, publishes scientific findings, provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health care professionals and the public and advocates for increased funding for diabetes research and for the rights of people with diabetes.