Recent News:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2001

Contacts:
AAHP: Susan Pisano (202) 778-3245
ADA: Genea Luck (703) 299-2077
AAO: Blake Marler (415) 561-8518
(Foundation of AAO)

(Washington, DC) – At a ceremony held at the U.S. Capitol today, the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP), the American Diabetes Association (ADA), and the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) were joined by Reps. George R. Nethercutt and Diana L. DeGette, co-chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, to launch a nationwide campaign aimed at reducing the number of Americans who lose their sight each year as a result of diabetes. Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was also present to highlight the fact that blindness associated with diabetes disproportionately affects minority populations in our country.

"We are proud to join with these prestigious organizations in this effort to encourage persons with diabetes to have their eyes checked on a regular basis," said AAHP President Karen Ignagni. "America’s health plans are committed to working toward this important goal. I encourage radio and TV stations all over the country to broadcast this important message."

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in America, and while a simple eye exam can lead to the prevention of blindness, most people with diabetes fail to get their eyes checked on a regular basis. Many people are not aware that eye exams for people with diabetes are covered under most health plans around the country. Diabetes is a particularly acute concern among minority populations. In fact, African Americans are 40-50 percent more likely to have diabetic retinopathy (the condition that leads to blindness) and Hispanic Americans are twice as likely to have diabetes than the majority population.

"This campaign represents the next phase of Taking On Diabetes, an ambitious project started in 1999 by AAHP and ADA to improve patient outcomes and reduce the life-threatening complications associated with diabetes, said Michael Mawby, National Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, ADA. "It has been proven that early screening and effective treatment options can prevent and delay the onset of diabetic retinopathy for many Americans. Screening can help the quality of life for the millions of Americans, while also saving our healthcare system dollars on disability payments in the long run."

The creation of the new PSAs and the Taking on Diabetes project are funded by an unrestricted educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline. The three PSAs have been endorsed by the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The ads, in radio, television and print formats have a common theme – the terrible sadness experienced by a grandmother as she loses her sight highlights the need for persons with diabetes to get their eyes checked so they can continue to witness those things that are most important in their lives. The ads point out that eye exams for persons with diabetes are covered by health plans, a fact not widely understood.

"Patients with diabetes are 25 times more likely than the general population to go blind. It is critical that patients with diabetes follow the American Academy of Ophthalmology's recommendation of getting annual dilated eye exams," said C. P. "Pat" Wilkinson, MD, ophthalmologist and Academy Board of Trustees member. "Together, we can prevent up to 24,000 people from losing their eyesight to diabetic retinopathy each year."

AAHP member plans in New Mexico have worked through New Mexico Health Care Takes on Diabetes to ensure placement of these ads throughout the state which has one of the highest rates of incidence of diabetes in the country. This initiative is part of a larger community partnership program convened under the auspices of Taking on Diabetes at several sites across America. The collaborative program, currently in place in New Mexico; Westchester County, New York and Kansas City brings together physicians, hospitals, provider organizations, medical societies, peer review organizations and state departments of health to discuss common goals and the implementation of a plans to meet them. Additional support for the community collaboratives is provided by a grant from the Commonwealth Fund.

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