The Diabetes Federation of Ireland (www.diabetes.ie) was created in 1967. First registered as a charitable organization called the Irish Diabetic Association, the federation’s mission is to assist individuals with diabetes and work with other organizations to find a cure for the disease. National services provided by the Diabetes Federation of Ireland include a telephone helpline, the magazine Diabetes Ireland, help for parents with diabetic children through support groups and the Sweetpea Kidz Club, child and adolescent activities, health education and conferences, community programs, and negotiated motor and health insurance rates. The Diabetes Federation of Ireland also is an advocacy group and liaison with the HSE and Department of Health and Children, monitoring anti-discrimination activity, providing professional support with the journal Diabetes Professional and the Professional Services Section. The Diabetes Federation of Ireland is headquartered in Dublin and has several national offices. However, their website, www.diabetes.ie, is …

The diabetes watch monitor began development in the mid-90s. Several prototype versions emerged in the early 00s and were designed and manufactured by different companies. The only diabetes watch ever approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the GlucoWatch. The diabetes watch monitor was designed to be used in conjunction with blood glucose meters and was only available with a prescription from a trained doctor. The GlucoWatch had been particularly recommended for pregnant women who need to stay on top of hypoglycemia and for patients who could benefit from the additional knowledge of blood glucose levels throughout the day such as those with a hypoglycemic insensitivity. The diabetes watch monitor was only approved for children over the age of seven.

Diabetes Watch Monitor – GlucoWatch

The FDA approved the GlucoWatch Biographer for use in 2001. The diabetes watch functioned by using a skin …

The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and acts as the fundraising branch of the Diabetes Research Institute. The Diabetes Research Institute is the only U.S. national research organization solely dedicated to cure-based type 1 diabetes research. The Diabetes Research Foundation was founded in 1971 by a group of parents of children with diabetes in order to fund research being conducted at the University of Miami. The DRIF is headquartered in Florida with offices in New York, Long Island, and Washington D.C.

Diabetes Research Institute Foundation – Funding Sources

The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation has a twenty-year ongoing relationship with America’s Union Movement’s (ALF-CIO) Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD). The BCTD has continued to fund and build the Diabetes Research Institute Facility, raising millions of dollars through direct contribution and the Project Type Zero campaign for individual fundraising by union members. Individual donors, …

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) is an international organization dedicated to type 1 diabetes research and is the largest charitable donor to this cause. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation funds diabetes research pertaining to a cure, treatment, and prevention of type 1 diabetes for all individuals regardless of age. Founded in 1970, the JDRF has donated over one billion dollars to research with over 80% of all expenditures spent directly on research.

A significant amount of work done by Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International is advocacy campaigns. Their five core issues are: Special Diabetes Program (SDP), Artificial Pancreas Project (APP), stem cell for research, state issues, and other federal issues. The SDP is a special program created by congress to make funds available for American Indian and Alaskan Indian type 1 diabetes research. The APP was begun by JDRF in 2005 to speed the development of an artificial pancreas …

For those interested in attending a metabolic syndrome conference, there are several conferences and congresses for health care professionals. Most blend aspects of the many factors that cause metabolic syndrome, touching on many different medical disciplines.

The 2^nd International Conference on Pre-Hypertension and Cardio-Metabolic Syndrome will take place in February of 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. The association of pre-hypertension in metabolic syndrome and its components (obesity, glucose intolerance, and dislypidemia) and the increased risk of cardiovascular complications make it an important subject in the discussion of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, the possibility of drug interactions with hypertension and glucose tolerance make the inclusion of pre-hypertension and hypertension essential in treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome. Pre-hypertension is defined as systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 120-139 mm Hg and 85-89 mm Hg. The metabolic syndrome conference will deal with material related to early diagnosis, innovation in treatments and technologies …

Including diverse medical fields, metabolic syndrome congress programs explore the interrelated aspects of metabolic syndrome, further developing prevention and treatment strategies. Each metabolic syndrome congress is created as an academic and professional development opportunity for scientists and health care professionals; they are not open to the general public.

The 5^th International Congress on Prediabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome will be held in Vienna, Austria in April of 2013. The congress is open to physicians, scientists, nurses, dieticians, and residents (non-tenured junior scientists). The main topics the congress will discuss are: gut hormones in obesity, early stages of diabetes, and metabolic syndrome; GLP-1 mimetics and DPP-4 inhibitors in early diabetes and metabolic syndrome; role of GLP-1 axis in prevention and cardiovascular health; lessons from bariatric surgery and interventional diabetology and its interventional use; insulin resistance and athersclerosis; impact of nutrition and exercise; pharmacologic prevention of diabetes and CVD.

Metabolic

A great deal of metabolic syndrome research is focused on the increased risk factors of metabolic syndrome and co-morbidities. Many discussions on metabolic syndrome also include cardiovascular disease, leading many to describe the health phenomenon as cardio-metabolic syndrome.

In one study from the April 2003 issue of Diabetes Care researchers surveyed 888 adults ages 40-79 years old, finding 303 had metabolic syndrome by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and 158 cases by the National Cholesterol Education Program’s (NCEP) criteria. Within the test subjects, incidence of fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease (CHD) was compared between individuals with and without metabolic syndrome, finding those with metabolic syndrome had an increased five-year incidence and progression of carotid atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Metabolic Syndrome Research – Kidneys and Liver

Metabolic syndrome research presented by Katherine McGlynn, of the National Institutes of Health, shows that metabolic syndrome increases the risk of …

The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) website (www.diabetes.ca) is an excellent source of diabetes information for physicians, patients, and family members. The CDA has its roots in Diabetic Association of Ontario, founded in the late 1940s by Charles Best, a research assistant of Sir Frederick Banting, M.D. and one of the co-discoverers of insulin. In 1953 the regional diabetic association of Canada combined to form the Canadian Diabetes Association.

www.diabetes.ca – Diabetes Healthy Living Resource

The mission of the CDA is to provide educational materials and services to patients and doctors, advocate on behalf of diabetes patients, support research, and practically apply new research. The CDA has several campaigns to actively support those living with diabetes and address pre-diabetes risks and screening. The goal of the public awareness campaign is to have all Canadians over the age of 40 get checked for type 2 diabetes. Visit www.diabetes.ca …

Diabetes UK (diabetes.org.uk) is the largest diabetes charity in the United Kingdom. The organization supports individuals living with diabetes by providing information and resources, acting as an advocate for diabetes health services, and a funding source for diabetes prevention, treatment, and cure research. A large portion of what diabetes.org.uk is empower as displayed with their “Care. Connect. Campaign.” Branding. The organization’s self-defined values are: empowering, radical, expert, and influential. With a pedigree history, Diabetes UK was begun as the Diabetic Association, founded in 1934 by H.G. Wells and Dr. R.D. Lawrence taking the stance early on that patients should have an active role in their treatment and management.

diabetes.org.uk – Special Projects

In 2010 Diabetes UK did a “roadshow” through Great Britain stopping in 80 towns and cities, offering advice on healthy living, weight loss, and type 2 diabetes risk assessment to 10,000 people. Of those …

Diabetes.co.uk is an online diabetes community, self-titled “the global diabetes community”. A forum, news center, and information guide, content is generally generated by users and staff writers. Diabetes.co.uk should not be confused with diabetes.org.uk, the United Kingdom’s largest diabetes charity.

Members of diabetes.co.uk have access to comment on and create new posts. There are topic groups for new members, newly diagnosed, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, gestational diabetes, and more. There are less serious topic groups as well such as “Diabetes Soapbox”, that allows people to vent about having diabetes, the state of health care etc. in a peer environment, and “You’re Joking” where members can post jokes, anecdotes, and funny stories.

Signing up for diabetes.co.uk is easy – simply visit the site and agree to the terms of use.

diabetes.co.uk – Diabetes Tools

In addition to their forum, diabetes.co.uk culls together diabetes related information on management, …

The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is a joint effort of the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and over 200 private and public organizations. The goal of the NDEP is to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and its complications. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NDEP was created in 1997. The original purpose of the NDEP was to practically apply the research of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). Following the 2001 UK Prospective Diabetes Study, the NDEP added blood pressure and cholesterol to glucose management as the diabetes “ABCs”. Follow-up information from both studies further evolved the mission of the NDEP to include the prevention and reduction of eye, kidney, nerve, heart, and vascular complications of diabetes. In 2001 the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) showed that weight loss and physical activity could prevent or delay type …

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) was founded in 1912 and is the leading source of foot and ankle medical information. Complications of the legs and feet are the number one cause of lower extremity amputations and one of the most frequent complications of diabetes. Seemingly minor foot conditions can easily escalate to limb-threatening infections without proper care. Prevention is a large part of the battle against diabetic foot complications, with both the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and American Podiatric Medical Association recommending regular screenings and examinations.

American Podiatric Medical Association – Providing Expert Care

A study published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association titled “The Economic Value of Specialized Lower-Extremity Medical Care by Podiatric Physicians in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers”, concluded that the specialized knowledge of podiatrist significantly reduced the economic costs of diabetic foot ulcers. The study found that diabetic patients …

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. November is also Diabetic Eye Disease Month. Prevent Blindness American, a not-for-profit charitable organization fighting blindness, holds events during November to highlight the increased risk of blindness that diabetics face.

In Canada, World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14 to mark the discovery of insulin. A day for reflection and education, the World Diabetes Day website has several ideas for commemorating the day (http://www.worlddiabetes.ca/join-the-hoopla-in-canada/). In conjunction with World Diabetes Day and in order to gain awareness for the severity and health threats associated with diabetes, Diabetic Connect has begun campaigning with the Blue Circle icon. The goal of Diabetic Connect is to make the Blue Circle as recognizable as the red and pink ribbons used for HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. By creating an easily identifiable symbol, it is their hope that diabetes will remain in people’s minds all the time. A social movement, …

The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) is an excellent place to find diabetic patient education material. A federal resource, the NDIC is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Under the “Tools and Resources” section of the NDIC website (http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/) one can find links regarding specific aspects of the disease, from newly diagnosed or at risk articles to the various forms of treatment. There are interactive materials that patients can download including video, radio, and podcasts. An image library is also a helpful diabetic patient education tool with illustrations of anatomy and instructional and lifestyle-related pictures ready to download. The NDIC provides a list of A-Z diabetes topics as well in order to make searching easy. Additionally, the NDIC links to all federal diabetes related programs including the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), clinical trials, and …

The American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) is the largest private organization dedicated to research on the prevention, cure, and management of diabetes, advocacy, and service to the diabetic community. Based out of Alexandria, VA the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has regional offices throughout the U.S. making it easy to contact them and receive any required information. Recognized as a leader in the advancement of diabetes research, information, and education, the ADA website www.diabetes.org provides, concise, easy to understand, and up-to-date information for diabetic patients to better understand the disease and its proper management.

Www.diabetes.org is user-friendly and intuitive. The scroll-down bar on the top of the site lists the general topics “Diabetes Basics”, “Living With Diabetes”, “Food & Fitness” among others. Within these categories are subcategories that open onto individual pages. A great benefit of www.diabetes.org is access to full text scholarly articles on archived and current research conducted …

The International Diabetes Federation is an independent umbrella organization of over 200 organizations based in 160 countries. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) was founded in 1950 with the mission of diabetes prevention and cure-based research on local and global scales. The goal of the IDF is to actively “influence policy, increase public awareness and encourage health improvement, promote the exchange of high-quality information about diabetes, and provide education for people with diabetes and their healthcare providers.”

International Diabetes Federation – Global Initiatives and Partnerships

The International Diabetes Federation is an associate of the UN’s Department of Public Information and is officially related to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The In 2006 the IDF’s Unite for Diabetes campaign led to the United Nations Resolution on diabetes, Resolution 61/225. The Resolution encourages all UN member nations to sustainably develop resources for the prevention, …

Diabetes SA is a member-based association founded in 1953 in South Australia. Directly following the visit of Canadian scientist and co-discoverer of insulin Dr. Charles Best in 1952, Diabetes SA was created in response to Best’s encouragement for the a diabetic association. Self-funded the Diabetes Association SA uses membership fees, subscriptions, fundraising activities, and their shops to support their efforts in prevention, diagnosis, management, and cure-based research. Specifically addressing the need in South Australia, Diabetes SA provides information, support, education, and products to diabetic patients, supplementing the national health care system’s diabetes efforts. Addressing the diversity of the population of South Australia, the Diabetes SA website (www.diabetessa.com.au) is available in English, Greek, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, German, and Vietnamese.

SA Diabetes Association – Consultations

Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease with 600 people diagnosed with diabetes in South Australia every month. The Diabetes SA website provides general information …

World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated on the 14^th of November every year. Created by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), World Diabetes Day is an advocacy effort on an international scale, relying on the cooperation of millions of people. Created in 1991 by the IDF and World Health Organization (WHO), the goal of creating a diabetes day was to respond to the ever-increasing rates of diabetes cases and the health complications the disease poses. World Diabetes Day became a United Nations Day in 2007 when UN Resolution 61/225 passed. Initiating the second five-year campaign, one of the greatest benefits of World Diabetes Day is the consistent attention it brings to diabetes issues and the need for educational and prevention programs.

International Diabetes Day

International Diabetes Day is celebrated by the IDF’s 200 member associations, located in more than 160 countries. For the years 2009 – 2013 the …

Joslin Diabetes Center is teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School based in Boston, MA with several locations in the U.S. and centers in Canada and Kuwait. An internationally recognized research leader, Joslin Center for Diabetes is able to combat all forms of diabetes by combining research with clinical applications and education. The mission of Joslin Diabetes Center is “to improve the lives of people with diabetes and its complications thought innovative care, education, and research that will lead to prevention and cure the disease.” Elliot P. Joslin, M.D., founded the center with the belief that patients should be involved in their care, empowering and educating them to make health choices. A Harvard graduate, Joslin’s research and private practice eventually led to one of the most respected diabetes research institutions, boasting important developments in diabetes knowledge and treatment.

Joslin Diabetes Center – Historical Discoveries

Beginning his research …

For British citizens who want to know what is diabetes, NHS (National Health Service) is their best source for information. The NHS is the U.K.’s public health system responsible for the care of British citizens with diabetes, operating under different names in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales while providing the same service to all citizens. With an estimated 2.8 million people suffering from diabetes and another 1 million undiagnosed in the U.K., it is important to know what is diabetes. NHS support services, especially their website (www.nhs.uk), can answer question related to pre-diabetes, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. On their website NHS provides a “Map of Medicine” allowing health care professionals to share with their patients how diabetes symptoms are mapped and the various steps of care necessary. For medical care and appointments the NHS a specific search feature to find the nearest diabetes support.

NHS Direct

JDRF is the largest charitable donor to type 1 diabetes research. The JDRF Walk is one such fundraising event to benefit cure-based research. JDRF research takes an innovative approach, accelerating promising leads, conducting clinical trials, and collaborating with other organizations. By participating in the JDRF Walk people can join in a healthy team activity and while fundraising for type 1 diabetes research. Fundraising support is given to all participants, including how to write a sponsor letter, fundraising ideas, and how to involve your employer or corporation. JDRF makes it simple for donors who would like to donate to a walker. Anyone can visit the JDRF website, enter a walker’s name and make a donation.

JDRF Walk also has the added benefit of drawing attention to the diabetic cause, the number of people who suffer from the disease, and the research being done to cure type 1 diabetes. Many diabetics and …

The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) has its roots in the work of Dr. Frederick Banting, the inventor of insulin extraction and use for diabetes, and the Diabetic Association of Ontario. Today the Canadian Diabetes Association provides information for diabetics, acts an advocate across Canada, and funds research through grants. The CDA website (http://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/) provides helpful information on living with diabetes, following healthy guidelines, nutrition information, and treating diabetes in youth and children. For those who think they may be at risk of type 2 diabetes, individuals can use the site to find a diabetes testing center near them. Individuals who are newly diagnosed can learn more about the disease and use the Healthy Living Series, an interactive guide to diabetes management.

In a series of position statements, the Canadian Diabetes Association outlines how it is participating in the advancement of prevention, treatment, and research of diabetes in Canada.

The

Most countries have their own independent diabetic association. Among the most well known are the British diabetic association, Diabetes UK, and the American Diabetes Association. Many localities have their own diabetic association, providing support on a local level to individuals and families with diabetes. Diabetic associations are independent and member funded, sometimes receiving corporate sponsorship. Becoming a diabetic association member is an excellent way to engage with other diabetics, receive support, and help fund research.

While many smaller diabetes associations are focused on prevention, treatment, and quality of life, the larger associations include advocacy, policy, and research as part of their mission and goals. The American Diabetes Association, the Canadian Diabetes Association, and Diabetes UK are all global leaders in innovative research.

British Diabetic Association – Diabetes UK

Diabetes UK is Britain’s leading diabetes charity focused on empowering people with diabetes, acting as a policy advocate, while …

According to their website, Diabetesaustralia.com.au, Diabetes Australia is “the national peak body for diabetes in Australia providing a single, powerful, collective voice for people living with diabetes. Diabetes Australia is the third oldest diabetes association in the world. This non-profit organization works in partnership with consumer organizations, health professionals, educators and researchers in order to minimize the impact of diabetes in Australia. They do this by:

• Lobbying and advocating in the interests of people affected by diabetes

• Raising community awareness

• Supporting research

• Administering the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)

The Diabetes Australia website provides general information about diabetes and living with the disease. They also provide information for health professionals. If you need Australia diabetes help, they also provide information on organizations which may provide resources for individuals and the latest in research and news information pertaining to the disease.

Diabetes Association Australia

The Australian Diabetes Educators Association …

There are many organizations, websites, and government programs dedicated to diabetes education. If you have diabetes, it is important to stay informed on diabetic topics, new, and research to help you manage your general health. Information about diet, exercise, and available product are especially valuable.

If you want to gather information about diabetes, The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a great place to start. They not only have general information about the disease, they also provide information about local resources that are available. Visit Diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES for diabetes education.

The National Institute of Health is another great place to go to get an education on diabetes. There you can find MedlinePlus. MedlinePlus is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine that provides diabetes education, as well as education about many other conditions. Visit Nih.gov to learn more about diabetes and related conditions.

Diabetes Education Program

In reality there is no organization named American Association of Diabetes. This is mix between the names of two different organizations: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Both have also been mistakenly referred to as the American association for diabetes.

ADA, or the American Diabetes Association is a non-profit organization whose mission it is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. They fund research for diabetes, deliver services to hundreds of communities, and provide information on diabetes. They also voice rights for diabetics if rights have been denied.

The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) is a little different. It is a multidisciplinary association of healthcare professionals that is dedicated to integrating self-management as a key outcome in the care of people with diabetes and related chronic conditions. AADE advocates for policies that improve …