DPAC Joins Diabetes Advocacy Alliance for Collaborative Efforts to Help People With Diabetes

The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition announces it has joined the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance, a coalition of over 20 members representing patient advocacy organizations, professional societies, trade associations, other nonprofit organizations, and corporations to change the way diabetes is viewed and treated in America. DPAC will be working alongside other member to increase awareness and education among policymakers about the enormous challenges that diabetes poses to US health, health care, and prosperity.

A National Crisis

“Over 30.3 million Americans have diabetes, with 84.1 million additional Americans at risk,” says Christel Marchand Aprigliano, CEO of the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition. “This is a national crisis and cannot be solved without the cooperative efforts of many organizations and advocates willing to raise a collective voice to policy makers. The Diabetes Advocacy Alliance is one way that DPAC can help ensure all voices are represented.” The Diabetes Advocacy Alliance members bring their collaborative expertise directly to Congressional representatives and regulatory officials, supporting opportunities to advocate for the prevention and awareness of diabetes, early detection, and affordable access to treatments for those with diabetes. Recent efforts have resulted in the successful signing of the National Clinical Commission Act and the participation in the Healthy People 2020 program in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services. “We look forward to becoming an active member of DAA and advocating for our patient community,” adds Aprigliano. “With the current U.S. healthcare system spending more than 1 in 5 healthcare dollars on diabetes, there has never been a more important time to advocate for the long-term health of our community.” DPAC joins other prominent, well known diabetes nonprofit organizations, include the American Diabetes Association, Endocrine Society, American Association of Diabetes Educators, and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. To learn more about the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance, go to: www.diabetesadvocacyalliance.org.