Diabetes Advocacy Alliance™ Applauds New U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Draft Diabetes Screening Guideline

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Diabetes Advocacy Alliance™ (DAA) applauds the United States Preventive Services Task Force's (USPSTF) new draft recommendation that would encourage health care professionals to screen for diabetes and prediabetes in all adults with risk factors for the disease.  The DAA also expresses appreciation for the Task Force's comprehensive and thoughtful review of the evidence that supports the new screening guideline.

Adoption and use of this recommendation, which received a B rating, could help address the diabetes epidemic in America by identifying more of the estimated 86 million adults at risk for diabetes who could then be referred to evidence-based diabetes prevention programs in their communities that have been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Diabetes Prevention Program.  The screening guideline could also help identify more of the 8 million adults with undiagnosed diabetes who could receive appropriate treatment and care.

"Dietitians and other nutrition professionals have long recognized the value of lifestyle interventions for decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes onset and complications from diabetes," said DAA Co-Chair Mary Pat Raimondi, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  "That's why we're especially pleased that the USPSTF's draft recommendation encourages screening for all adults at risk for diabetes."

Under the Affordable Care Act, preventive services like screening that receive an A or B rating from the USPSTF are covered through private insurance without cost-sharing.  Final adoption of this new draft recommendation would mean individuals at risk would have greater access to diabetes screening. 

"By encouraging screening for diabetes among adults based on age, overweight or obesity, family history and other risk factors, the USPSTF's draft recommendation would closely align with the American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes criteria for screening. This change will help to bring consensus and consistency regarding when and who to screen, and will ultimately save lives and prevent the complications of diabetes," said DAA Co-Chair Tekisha Dwan Everette, American Diabetes Association.

"We are encouraged the Task Force members have recommended screening all adults with diabetes risk factors," said DAA Co-Chair Tricia Brooks, Novo Nordisk Inc. "The members of the DAA have long recognized and advocated for the importance of screening as the entry point for prevention of diabetes and its complications.  This is a critical first step to change the trajectory of this disease and improve the human toll associated with diabetes."

The DAA is a diverse group of 20 patient advocacy organizations, professional societies, trade associations, nonprofit organizations, and corporations, sharing a common goal to defeat diabetes. Members of the DAA currently include the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Association of Diabetes Educators, American Clinical Laboratory Association, American Diabetes Association, American Medical Association, American Optometric Association, American Podiatric Medical Association, Endocrine Society, Healthcare Leadership Council, Medicare Diabetes Screening Project, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, National Community Pharmacists Association, National Kidney Foundation, Novo Nordisk Inc., Pediatric Endocrine Society, Results for Life, VSP Vision Care, and YMCA of the USA.

For more information about the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance™, visit www.diabetesadvocacyalliance.org.

SOURCE Diabetes Advocacy Alliance