Foundation launches large-scale diabetes initiative

Fri, 12 Nov 2010
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation has announced the launch of a USD100 million initiative to combat the growing problem of type 2 diabetes in the United States. The foundation will undertake the biggest corporate philanthropic commitment into fighting the disease in the country; the 5-year programme, called Together on Diabetes, aims to help people suffering from type 2 diabetes to better manage their condition at home and in their communities.

The Foundation already has experience of helping community-based, non-medical support services that complement medical care, although the Together on Diabetes scheme is the first time they have worked on a large-scale diabetes project. They will work with a range of partners to support ways of developing effective patient self-management programmes and treatments for controlling type 2 diabetes, and engage communities in the fight against the disease. Its first proposals will focus on African–American women.

The disease now affects around one in 12 Americans, and with a reported 57 million being pre-diabetic, this is expected to increase dramatically over the next few years.

Lamberto Andreotti, chief executive officer of Bristol-Myers Squibb, said "Type 2 diabetes is one of the United States' greatest health challenges and disproportionately affects the poor, minorities and the elderly, many of whom are not receiving the care and support they need to improve their glycemic control ."

He added "Together on Diabetes(R) will draw on the strengths of communities and support public-and private-sector partners coming together to identify and implement disease management approaches that work for large segments of the population."
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