Introduction

The American Association of Health Plans (AAHP), now America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) worked together for five years in a joint initiative, to address quality health care for people with diabetes. Taking on Diabetes, represented a long-term commitment to improve the lives of people with diabetes by dramatically reducing the negative health consequences associated with the disease. The joint initiative, at both the national and local levels, combined the knowledge and experience of the ADA with the special strengths of health insurance plans to promote screening, early intervention and state-of-the-art treatment for the populations they serve. Approximately 250 health insurance plans provide coverage for more than 80 million Americans - and more than five million people with diabetes - participated in the effort partnering with local ADA offices throughout the nation.

The goals of the Taking on Diabetes initiative were expressed in a pledge statement reflecting the serious complications faced by the estimated 18 million Americans with diabetes and demonstrates our commitment to their care:

• Health plans pledged to reduce the incidence of irreversible vision loss through early detection and intervention for people with diabetes.
• Health plans pledged to reduce the development of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) for their enrollees with diabetes.
• Health plans pledged to reduce the loss or partial loss of lower extremities from the loss of blood circulation and foot ulcers for persons with diabetes.
• Health plans pledged to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with diabetes.