The American Diabetes Association Marks 85 Years of Advancements in Diabetes Care and Discovery

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) celebrates 85 years of dedicated work toward its vision of a future free from diabetes and all its burdens. Since the organization's creation in 1940, the ADA has been a part of extraordinary advancements in diabetes research, knowledge, treatment, and care.

Milestone moments include:

1949: The first ADA Camp opens, becoming a place where children with diabetes can enjoy the fun of camp while staying safe and learning independent diabetes management. ADA camps now serve nearly 3,300 children and families across the nation each year.

1952: The ADA Research Program is founded to accelerate innovations in diabetes care. Over the years, the program has put hundreds of millions of dollars toward vital research.

1984: The first National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) were published, establishing a framework for high-quality diabetes education. Today, the ADA has the largest number of recognized DSMES programs available to people living with diabetes.

1989: The ADA begins publishing the yearly Standards of Care in Diabetes, giving health care professionals a reliable, up-to-date resource on the best practices for diabetes care.

1991: Thanks to the ADA's state-level leadership, the first Diabetes Cost Reduction Act (DCRA) passes. Today, DCRAs exist in 46 states.

1996: The ADA launches diabetes.org, bringing diabetes resources and education into the internet age.

1999: The ADA begins the Safe at School® campaign to help create safer conditions for school students living with diabetes.

2012: The ADA launches Power Up, an educational and fun-filled environment focused on diabetes education, nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention for youth at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. This evolved into what is now known as Project Power.

2013: The ADA launches the Pathway to Stop Diabetes® program, creating additional funding and networks for diabetes researchers.

2018: The ADA and the American Heart Association® launch Know Diabetes by Heart™ to help reduce the risk and incidences of cardiovascular disease in people living with diabetes.

2020: The ADA helps found the Focus on Diabetes® program to ensure more people living with diabetes understand and manage the diabetes-related risks to their vision.

2022: The ADA unveils the Amputation Prevention Alliance to help reduce the epidemic of diabetes-related amputations in at-risk populations.

2023: After years of the ADA leading the fight for affordable insulin, Medicare puts a $35 monthly price cap on insulin.

2024: The ADA forms the Obesity Association^™, a division of the ADA, to help change the conversation on obesity and reduce its prevalence. Today, the ADA is developing trusted, evidence-based Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity to improve care for people living with overweight and obesity.

"There has been tremendous progress made in the fight to end diabetes. Every new research finding, every advancement in treatment, every policy win—it all matters in the lives of those living with diabetes. We look forward to building on the advancements of the last 85 years as the ADA remains steadfast in our mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes," said Charles "Chuck" Henderson, the ADA's chief executive officer.

About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation's leading voluntary health organization fighting to end diabetes and helping people thrive. This year, the ADA celebrates 85 years of driving discovery and research to prevent, manage, treat, and ultimately cure diabetes—and we're not stopping. There are 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Through advocacy, program development, and education, we're fighting for them all. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383). Join us in the fight on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn). To learn more about how we are advocating for everyone affected by diabetes, visit us on X (@AmDiabetesAssn).  

Contact:
Virginia Cramer, [email protected]

SOURCE American Diabetes Association