While COVID-19 has captured the headlines for over two years now, there are still parts of the story of health in the US that have not been heard. One of those untold stories is that the US is facing an “acute on chronic” syndemic; both COVID-19 and diabetes are overwhelming our health system, contributing to premature morbidity and mortality, and generating significant disparities in health across race, ethnicity, income, and education.
Recently a federally-commissioned report on diabetes was submitted to the US Congress, the first of its kind in nearly 50 years. Below is a link to a brief Health Affairs summary piece on the report.
The Commission’s full report provides scientific evidence for recommendations regarding the diabetes epidemic at both social and environmental levels, it provides leverage for federal social and health policies working to advance health equity in diabetes prevention and care, and provides evidence for investments in research for both type one an two diabetes in the future.
Excerpt from: An All-Of-Government Approach To Diabetes: The National Clinical Care Commission’s Report To Congress by Schillinger, Bullock, and Herman, 2022