Type 2 diabetes and heart disease targeted in new AMA initiative

The American Medical Association has announced the first phase of a new health initiative aimed at tackling type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease .
In a press release on Monday, the AMA said that it will focus on the prevention of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes – two of America’s most troubling and widespread health issues – and improving health outcomes for diabetic and CVD patients.
Cardiovascular disease accounts for one-third of all deaths in the United States, while more than 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes or diabetes. Combined, the two conditions cost the country’s health care system more than $535 billion a year.
“The toll of these diseases on our nation is staggering – in terms of human suffering and health care costs,” AMA president Jeremy Lazarus said.
According to the release, the Association will address type 2 diabetes and its associated complications by focusing on prediabetes, a serious health condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke .
Specifically, it will work with the YMCA to increase physician referrals of individuals with prediabetes to evidence-based diabetes prevention programs offered by the organisation
To address cardiovascular disease, the AMA will partner the Baltimore-based Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality research institute to help 10 million Americans with hypertension meet recommended blood pressure level targets by 2017.
“These are the first steps toward the AMA’s ambitious, long-term goal of achieving measurable improvements in health outcomes for patients in the United States,” Lazarus said.
“We look forward to partnering with many individuals and organisations who share these goals.”