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Established in 1997, the National Diabetes Education Program is a federally-funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and includes over 200 partners at the federal, state and local levels, working together to improve the treatment and outcomes for people with diabetes, promote early diagnosis, and prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Evidence from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial showed conclusively that improved control of blood glucose levels can make a big difference in reducing complications associated with diabetes. NDEP was initially created in 1997 to translate the findings of this major study into current health care practice. Beginning in 2001, in response to the findings of the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study), NDEP outreach evolved to address the ABCs of diabetes: comprehensive control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Research results from major studies continue to drive NDEP action. Results of the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study, which continues to monitor DCCT patients over time, and the results of the 10-year follow up study of the UKPDS have spurred messages to indentify and control both type 1 and type 2 diabetes early to reduce complications of the eye, kidney, nerves, heart, and blood vessels. The results of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) clinical trial, announced in August 2001, showed that among people with pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through modest weight loss and regular physical activity. Beginning in 2002, NDEP released messages and materials to translate the science of diabetes prevention into clinical practice and to raise awareness among high risk individuals. Together, NDEP and partners promote the messages and materials of two national public health campaigns, one created for people with diabetes and the other created for people at risk of diabetes. Both campaigns also reach out to health care professionals. For more information about National Diabetes Education Program, please visit their website at www.ndep.nih.gov |
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