The American Diabetes Association has released a statement regarding the decision by the American administration to further undermine diabetes research with less funding, announced in the Fiscal Year Budget 2009.
The Bush administration have decided to further cut diabetes research funding for the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The president of medicine and science at the ADA, John Buse, reportedly commented: “As demonstrated by today’s budget proposal, once again the Bush Administration has missed the gravity of diabetes – It is the greatest public health epidemic of the 21st century. For five years, the Bush Administration and Congress have neglected to provide ample federal resources to address the millions who are affected, while the costs of diabetes have increased by more than 30 percent. Currently, one in ten health care dollars is attributed to diabetes – and one in three Medicare dollars – is spent on both diabetes and its related complications.”
Buse reportedly continued: “At an estimated $174 billion a year, the costs of diabetes are taking a devastating toll on our economy and compromising the lives of millions of Americans. It is ironic that such a staggering figure has been responded to with such indifference. We cannot afford not to invest in diabetes research, treatment, and prevention — the consequences for our health care system and our society will be too severe. The American Diabetes Association calls on Congress to align their priorities and provide funds to remedy this growing health crisis.”

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