In 2011, Women In Government launched a three-year campaign to raise awareness of diabetes. The Diabetes Health Challenge Campaign seeks to educate, empower, and engage legislators and the public about the impact of diabetes in their states and to bring together the community, advocacy groups, medical professionals, pharmaceutical and insurance industries, and policymakers, in the fight against diabetes.

Diabetes affects approximately 26 million children and adults in the United States. Additionally, 79 million U.S. adults have pre-diabetes, a condition that can increase a person’s risk of diabetes type 2, heart disease, and stroke. If the trend continues, one in three Americans could have diabetes by 2050.

The national economic burden of pre-diabetes and diabetes reached an alarming $218 billion in 2007. This has significant impact on state budgets. Yet, engaging people with diabetes to be active in their disease management can minimize costs. For every dollar invested in diabetes education, nine healthcare dollars typically spent can be saved.

The Diabetes Resource Center was established to raise awareness, mobilize, and support state legislators in sponsoring diabetes-related initiatives in their states. 
  

The Diabetes Resource Portfolio

The Diabetes Resource Center is a clearinghouse of educational materials and policy resources aimed at addressing the gaps in the education, prevention, and management of diabetes and related diseases. Working with various stakeholders, Women In Government will continue to build and disseminate resources for legislators and policymakers, and mobilize women state legislators to adopt sound policies on diabetes in their states.