Federal Diabetes Activities

Focusing primarily on the activities of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Center for Disease Control of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a review was made of federally funded activities concerning the research and control of diabetes mellitus. Types and objectives of federally supported research and various funding of research projects were discussed. There is a national need for increased emphasis on improving the availability of adequate health services to diabetics. Research studies indicate that medical complications and health care costs can be reduced through the use of good diabetes control techniques. However, a review of benefit coverage for diabetes control services under nine health benefit plans revealed that none of the health benefit plans specifically covered charges for teaching disease control techniques to diabetics. NIH established eight centers for diabetes research and training, and there are plans to fund seven more centers.