Author: Staff Writers

Businesses are Paying for Healthy Lifestyle Changes: Recently the New England Journal of Medicine tracked a new trend in business policy. It seems many companies are experimenting in rewarding employees for positive heath and lifestyle choices.

General Electric provided a group of employees with up to $750 in bonuses to stop smoking. About 10% of those who made it through the program remained smoke-free after 18 months compared to the national average of 3% for those who attempt to stop smoking on their own. Experts say the employee incentives are cost effective because the average annual expense related to a smoking employee is over $3,000 in work absenteeism, health care bills and lost productivity.

Why bring this up on a site dedicated to issues related to diabetes? The above is simply a prominent example of what businesses are doing to engage their employees in the arena of positive health choices. Some businesses will opt to provide a health club perk to employees with strong encouragement to use the membership. Others may provide a bonus based on the total number of days the employee registers to use a health club facility.

Businesses are discovering that the return on their health investment in members of their staff is profound. Employees are healthier and often more productive when physical exercise and positive health choices are encouraged by their employer. Employees appreciate these opportunities to be paid for making choices they already know they would be wise.

Dr. Ron Loeppke spoke about a recent Health and Productivity Forum, “U.S. employers today are significantly underestimating the overall costs associated with poor employee health, while also failing to fully assess the diseases and health conditions that drive these costs. We want to help employers understand that one of the best ways to lower costs is to provide programs that encourage health and wellness.”

Some large companies have gone so far as to provide an onsite medical facility available to employees.

This innovative approach to employee health may best be described as preventative medicine. Its implementation could have a positive role in leveraging assistance on the job for those who have diabetes. Secondarily, it may assist in lifestyle information that could impact personal choices and perhaps change course for those who may be on the road to Type 2 diabetes.

The idea of incentives really plays to the notion that people will respond to a motivation based on reward. If there is a tangible benefit from involvement individuals may participate purely out of selfishness. Whatever the motivation businesses are finding that there may be enough who will permanently change habits that the investment may be well worth funding.

The next step is often peer pressure where healthy staff members begin to exert positive pressure on other employees to explore the benefits associated with a healthy lifestyle. This can, to some degree, be a self-perpetuating scenario.

In the case of diabetes there can be a lack of motivation if only because depression seems to accompany this disease. Having a motivation that is outside of oneself may provide the drive to make changes.

I think it’s possible that businesses are seeing that the workplace has often unintentionally encouraged a sedentary lifestyle. Employees often sit at desks and manage work by phone or on computers without the need for physical exertion. Knowing this environment may not be conducive to good health the role of providing creative ways to encourage activity has become a means of employee responsibility for many businesses.

Eight Tips Your .Org Can Use to Gain Media Coverage: A powerful ally in the fight against diabetes is the media. If you are an organization looking to win the battle for media coverage there may be a few things that can help you achieve the support of the media.

1. The media does not have to help you. Unless you are willing to pay for advertising you cannot assume that your local media should be automatically thrilled to jump on your particular bandwagon. Media members are constantly barraged with requests to support or to cover a wide variety of exceptionally good causes. The fight against diabetes may simply be another in a long list of worthy causes.
2. Know what you are talking about before you talk about it. If you are granted time to talk to an editor or producer you need to have a firm grasp on what you want to see accomplished and you need to be able to articulate details about diabetes so they can see both your passion as well as how their coverage could be mutually beneficial.
3. Know who to talk to. Make some preliminary phone calls that can help you identify the individual you should talk to. Be complimentary without the use of flattery. Allow the media organization to offer ways to help, but if they don’t you should be prepared to offer a few suggestions of your own. Don’t push, but toss a few pebbles into the proverbial water to see what develops.
4. If a media interview is granted do not stand them up. You are at the mercy of the media. If they offer support do whatever you need to do to make yourself (or a reliable substitute) available for media coverage.
5. Be willing to start small. You might only be able to convince a media outlet to run a public service announcement about your organization, but you need to accept this as a small victory and allow some time to pass before you broach the subject again.
6. Offer an expert. Perhaps you are the expert on diabetes or you have a physician or nutritionist in your organization that is. Offer that expertise to the media when they encounter a story where sound bites might be needed related to diabetes coverage. They will list the expert as a member of the organization you are a part of. Once they see the value in accessing the talent pool in your organization they may be more willing to provide better coverage of your events or the underlying reason for your organizations existence.
7. Always show gratitude. With every bit of coverage you should send a note of thanks to the media outlet that saw fit to share your news. This is especially important in the beginning. Many media outlets will place these notes on a company bulletin board because they like the encouragement and they don’t always receive as much as they need.
8. Develop quality press releases. You might even go so far as to hand deliver them and let the media outlet know you are available to answer any questions they might have. This allows them to see your personal concern for the coverage and provides a professional synopsis of your latest news.

The media can be a valuable aid in the role any diabetes organization plays in a community, but knowing how to approach them may be the best way to develop a meaningful partnership in the role of community awareness.

The Origins of Diabetes UK: The Time Machine, The Invisible Man and War of the Worlds made H.G. Wells a master craftsman of science fiction and paved the way for modern science fiction writers.

Born to a family of common laborers it was a health issue that may have cause Herbert George Wells to see something more for his life than being a draper’s apprentice.

It was another health issue later in life that caused him to consider the possibility of leaving a legacy for those who must deal with diabetes.

At first Wells did not recognize what he could do to be a change maker in the culture of diabetes. There is an indication that by the early 1930’s Wells was no longer wealthy and was receiving care for diabetes from Dr. R.D. Lawrence. In 1933 Lawrence sent letters to patients asking for their help in establishing an in-patient care center for diabetics at the King’s College Hospital. Wells sent a small contribution, but felt there was little more he could do.  When Dr. Lawrence confronted Wells on his smaller than expected gift Wells felt compelled to write a letter to The Times asking for the assistance of the English population to make the facility a reality.

The people of England had not forgotten the much loved science fiction writer. They responded beyond all expectations and Lawrence soon had the facility he was after. Wells was so moved by the outpouring he wrote a separate letter within a year that outlined the potential of creating an organization dedicated to those who lived with diabetes. Wells wrote of the organization by saying its intent was, “To promote the study, the diffusion of knowledge, and the proper treatment of diabetes in this country.”

The public poured out their support for the idea and the organization now known as Diabetes UK was established. Wells used his disease and name recognition to establish something that may prove to be equal in timelessness to his novels.

Today this organization is more than 75 years old and was working on self managed care as a solution to the longevity of patients several decades before most physicians conventionally accepted this truth.

H.G. Wells wasn’t the only celebrity to voice support for Diabetes UK. In recent years more than 20 English stars have lent their support and name to the goals and objectives of the organization. Today more than 400 local groups in England have linked with this organization to provide thousands of residents with information they need to make positive choices when dealing with their disease.

The Diabetes UK website indicates the following milestones…

• 170,000 members.
• Answer over 200 enquiries a day.
• Spend up to £7.3 million a year on diabetes research.
• Produce a wide range of magazines, books and leaflets covering all aspects of diabetes.
• Run care support events, family days, conferences courses and roadshows.

Media volunteers with Diabetes UK are routinely called on by radio, television and print organizations to lend a human and expert touch to stories they may be covering that deal with diabetes.

Diabetes UK is the oldest organization of its kind in England and its founders would be gratified to learn of the advances in diabetes management and the information that is regularly distributed through this worthwhile organization.

The Diabetic Burden: ScienceDaily.com recently reported some startling findings related to the prevalence of diabetes in America. One in three individuals over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with diabetes, but perhaps the real story is the numbers of individuals diagnosed who are being discovered at a younger age each year.

This report indicates adults younger than 65 have a pre-diabetes diagnosis that stand at about one-third of everyone in this age range. Catherine Cowie Ph.D., lead author of the report indicated, “We’re facing a diabetes epidemic that shows no signs of abating, judging from the number of individuals with pre-diabetes.”

This startling information is part of a survey conducted by the National institute of Health and offers the following analysis…

• The rate of diagnosed diabetes increased between the surveys, but the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes and pre-diabetes remained relatively stable.
• Minority groups continue to bear a disproportionate burden. The prevalence of diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, in non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican- Americans is about 70 to 80 percent higher than that of non-Hispanic whites.
• Diabetes prevalence was virtually the same in men and women, as was the proportion of undiagnosed cases.
• Pre-diabetes is more common in men than in women (36 percent compared to 23 percent).
• Diabetes is rare in youth ages 12 to 19 years, but about 16 percent have pre-diabetes.

Researchers believe that a significant rise in obesity is the most probable culprit in the rise of diabetes in the U.S. They refer to this as an epidemic that will have, “Grave implications for our health care system.”

Ed Gregg, Ph.D. of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) said, “These findings of yet another increase in diabetes prevalence are a reminder that a full-scale public health response is in order. Re-directing the trends in diabetes will require changing the nutritional and physical activity habits of people at risk, and also creative and substantial efforts by health systems and communities.”

The struggle will be the change in attitude and action related to the disease. It seems as if there is a general dread of the disease without a strong enough motivation to do much to personally change the outcome.

This report further suggests that the following would make a great checklist to see if you might be due for testing.

• Are age 45 or older
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Are overweight
• Are inactive (exercise less than three times a week)
• Are members of a high-risk ethnic population (e.g., African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander)
• Have high blood pressure: 140/90 mm/Hg or higher
• Have an HDL cholesterol less than 35 mg/dL or a triglyceride level 250 mg/dL or higher
• Have had diabetes that developed during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) or have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• Have polycystic ovary syndrome, a metabolic disorder that affects the female reproductive system
• Have acanthosis nigricans (dark, thickened skin around neck or armpits)
• Have a history of disease of the blood vessels to the heart, brain, or legs
• Have had higher-than-normal blood glucose levels on previous testing.

If pre-diabetes is detected there are several things you can do to reverse course. This includes a change in eating habits and the addition of physical activity.

An Insulin Dependent Worker Protected by The ADA: The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 went into effect January 1, 2009. There may already be some clarification on how this act may affect those who have insulin dependent diabetes. We’ll explore this new development a little later in this article.

The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) provided this summary of the new ADAAA rules in October of 2008 to help clarify their position on the subject.

The Act makes important changes to the definition of the term “disability” by rejecting the holdings in several Supreme Court decisions and portions of EEOC’s ADA regulations. The Act retains the ADA’s basic definition of “disability” as an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment. However, it changes the way that these statutory terms should be interpreted in several ways. Most significantly, the Act:

• Directs EEOC to revise that portion of its regulations defining the term “substantially limits”;
• Expands the definition of “major life activities” by including two non-exhaustive lists:
• The first list includes many activities that the EEOC has recognized (e.g., walking) as well as activities that EEOC has not specifically recognized (e.g., reading, bending, and communicating);
• The second list includes major bodily functions (e.g., “functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions”);
• States that mitigating measures other than “ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses” shall not be considered in assessing whether an individual has a disability;
• Clarifies that an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active;
• Provides that an individual subjected to an action prohibited by the ADA (e.g., failure to hire) because of an actual or perceived impairment will meet the “regarded as” definition of disability, unless the impairment is transitory and minor;
• Provides that individuals covered only under the “regarded as” prong are not entitled to reasonable accommodation; and
• Emphasizes that the definition of “disability” should be interpreted broadly.

A recent ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals may have helped provide some clarity on how the new ADA Amendments Act affects those who have diabetes.

Larry Rohr had been diagnosed as an insulin dependant Type 2 diabetic back in 2000. His employer, Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District of Arizona, had provided some accommodations for Rohr that seemed to be in line with the ADA guidelines. Because Rohr’s condition required strict adherence to insulin injections and food intake his doctor requested Rohr be removed from a travel schedule. Salt River determined these accommodations rendered Rohr unable to fulfill essential functions of his job. They offered Rohr, “another position within Salt River that would be consistent with his limitations; applying for disability payments; or taking early retirement.”

Rohr took Salt River to court claiming discrimination under ADA rules. The court recently ruled in favor of Rohr. The ruling effectively means, “Being an insulin-dependent diabetic can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

This ruling was not specifically in support of the new ADAAA, but because it was a ruling derived from existing ADA rules it provides precedent for other diabetics who may face similar circumstances.

Could Alzheimer’s Be the New Type 3 Diabetes: Health Day News recently reported a development that may come as a surprise to many. The finding of recent research suggests that the dementia disease Alzheimer’s may actually be a newly discovered form of diabetes.

Research cosponsored by Northwestern University and the University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil suggest that insulin therapy can repel toxic proteins that attack cells that are important to memory retention.

Bill Klein of Northwestern University praised the research team by proclaiming, “We’ve solved a big mystery that people have been puzzled about and I think that’s going to take us a step closer to getting an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.”

Lead author of the study, William L. Klein, is quoted as saying; “Sensitivity to insulin can decline with aging, which presents a novel risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Our results demonstrate that bolstering insulin signaling can protect neurons from harm.”

In the study drugs used to aid those who have Type 2 diabetes (including insulin) were used to protect cells from the brains memory center. This diabetic drug cocktail protected against amyloid beta-derived diffusible ligands, or ADDLs, which has been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s.

A press release on the research had co-lead author Fernanda G. De Felice indicating, “The discovery that anti-diabetic drugs shield synapses against ADDLs offers new hope for fighting memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease.”

Meanwhile researchers from the UK have been bold in saying that this finding may lend to new medical therapies for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Victoria King with Diabetes UK said, “This study is in its early stages but it is interesting because it suggests that insulin, alongside drugs that help the body use insulin more effectively, may protect against the underlying biological mechanisms associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease.”

It has already been established that individuals with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Science may just now be understanding the significant role insulin deprivation can have on this disease.

What makes this an interesting development is that it appears the brain responds to the body’s attempt to supply insulin in much the same way the rest of the body responds in diabetic patients – it is resistant to its beneficial effects. It repels the insulin while ADDL’s (toxic proteins) cause havoc within the brain.

One of the primary struggles with moving forward with the information now available is that the research was done on brain cells that were removed from the hippocampus. There is no specific way to infuse mega doses of insulin directly into the brain. What that means is that medical science would need to develop a delivery method that is different than current options.

At Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York research there has shown that diabetics who take insulin as well as diabetic pills have a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s.

Like other forms of diabetes there are also strong indications that self managed care including diet and exercise can also have a profound effect on the development of Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 5.2 million U.S. citizens have the disease. Millions more are affected on a global scale. While there is disagreement as to the authority of the designation some researchers in this field of study have referred to Alzheimer’s as Type 3 diabetes.

Monica Spins for a Cure: Monica is the mother of a Type 1 diabetic son named Ethan. Her boy is ten years old and carries an insulin pump with him everywhere he goes. On a YouTube video announcement Monica says, “Remember, insulin isn’t a cure. It’s just life support.” Ethan appears to agree with his mother’s assessment.

Monica doesn’t have diabetes and it doesn’t run in her family, but she’s had to adapt and learn quickly how best to care for her son. He was diagnosed before he even turned two.

Today Monica Maliskas is a huge proponent of diabetic research. So much so that she is heavily involved in the development of what is known in her part of Texas as the “12-Hour Cycle for a Cure”. This indoor spinning marathon using stationary bicycles raises money for research in juvenile diabetes, also known as Type 1.

Her mother’s heart is evident as she continues to spin the wheel of her bike after everyone else has given up. As she told the Dallas Morning News, “He [Ethan] never gets a break.” Monica endured to the end of her 12-hour marathon – for Ethan – and all the kids his disease represents.

Last year the event raised nearly $75,000 for research purposes. Some 300 participants each donated $100 to participate for at least one hour this year. Many also worked to increase giving by asking friends and family to support them beyond the $100 gift.

Some spinners managed much more than an hour as they worked to train for upcoming endurance events involving bikes. In the end it was Monica Maliskas alone who agonized to keep the wheels spinning throughout all twelve hours.

She does this for Ethan and for all the other children who are hoping for a cure – hoping to find a time and place in their life when they aren’t tied to an insulin pump and subjected to multiple finger pricks in order to find out how their blood sugar is doing at any given moment.

It is easy to view diabetes as a disease that can rob children of their childhood. While Ethan does have more personal responsibility for his health he is also actively involved in sports and many other activities kids his age enjoy.

What Ethan does have to pay attention to what he eats and how much he consumes. He has to be aware that each day his insulin needs can change. When it comes to food he can’t be as carefree as his peers. He has to exercise patience and self-control.

Ethan is not alone. His family has publicly expressed their commitment to helping him reach his health goals and then further to help others achieve the potential of advanced treatment options or even a cure – one spin of a wheel at a time.

Monica’s labor of love for Ethan might just inspire you to do something similar where you live. It doesn’t need to be a bike-a-thon. It could be a walk-a-thon on a well-known path in your region. It could be a jog, jump rope, or outdoor biking trip. Events like this raise awareness and can provide much needed resources for organizations dedicated to discovering a cure. There may even be an existing effort in which you can involve yourself.

The secondary benefit will be that those who live with the disease will gain encouragement from your selfless act knowing that what you are doing can impact them in multiple and positive ways.

The Catnap and Diabetes: Health professionals have advocated the occasional power nap to help individuals gain clarity and focus. Naps have been touted as an excellent source of gaining improved efficiency. Businesses have even been encouraged to allow their staff the opportunity to power nap in an effort to boost productivity.

Proponents of the power nap will even cite the fact that Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison were all nappers – and they were brilliant men of science and art. Even famed British politician Winston Churchill once said, “You must sleep sometime between lunch and dinner… Don’t think you will be doing less work because you sleep during the day. That’s a foolish notion held by people who have no imaginations. You will be able to accomplish more. You get two days in one — well, at least one and a half, I’m sure.”

NASA researchers have shown that a nap of just under half an hour can boost ‘working memory’ by 34%.

Researchers have indicated naps that exceed half an hour can actually leave you lethargic and with a bad temperament.

And while many companies are implementing nap friendly policies there is new evidence to suggest there might be something else at work when you nap – something that may cause other long-term complications.

Diabetes UK reports, “Researchers at the University of Birmingham looked at the napping habits of 16,480 people and found that diabetes prevalence increased with napping frequency, and those who napped had a 26 per cent greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared to those who never napped.”

Researchers best guesstimate as to why this may be true are linked to the following three possibilities.

• Daytime naps interfere with nighttime sleep patterns.
• Shorter nighttime sleep sessions are already tied to an increased Type 2 diabetic risk.
• Diabetes UK says, “Waking up from napping activates hormones and mechanisms in the body that stop insulin working effectively.”

Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes UK indicates, “We know from previous studies, which looked at the link between disturbed night sleep patterns and the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, that interrupted sleep at night could increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.”

Napping in Perspective
While Diabetes UK research provides a new wrinkle in the issue of napping it is important to note that napping may be much less of an issue than, “…being overweight, being over the age of 40 or having a history of diabetes in the family.”

In other words, the primary message of most diabetic organizations remains the same – concentrate more on physical activity and managed care.

It might be interesting to know how this new information fits with power nap objectives. What we don’t know from this report is how long the individuals napped. Is there a difference between a nap of 30 minutes and one that lasts an hour or more?

Simply knowing that napping can have an effect on the potential for onset diabetes should engage researchers in further study so questions like the ones posed above can have answers.

As with other scientific discoveries this one conflicts with earlier findings. It may take time to develop appropriate research to provide the best indication of the usefulness of a nap versus the potential for diabetes development.

Diabetes and a Cheap Food Supply: There is a current ideological argument between professor Michael Pollan and various agricultural interests. This argument speculates as to the fundamental reasons for obesity in America and the subsequent rise in Type 2 diabetes and other chronic illnesses.

Pollan argues that cheap corn has only served to increase the girth of Americans while serving as a detriment to greenhouse gas emissions. His argument essentially is that food prices should be raised making it prudent to cut down on the amount of food you eat.

Agricultural interests contend that their industry cannot be blamed for the choices of consumers. The customer has demanded more and suppliers have simply done what good businesses have always done – work to supply the demand. Restaurant meals in the 1970’s were much smaller in total size than they are today.

Pollan contends Americans have moved to consuming more beef while eating fewer fruits and vegetables since the 1980’s. However, research indicates overall red meat consumption is down 15% during that time period while vegetable intake was up 23%.

I suppose this argument is a bit like a consumer suing a fast food restaurant for coffee that is too hot or food with too many calories. The point is consumers have a choice and they must bear some responsibility for their choice.

Positive portion control has always been the friend of the American consumer. Sometimes we may have trouble managing our appetite, but the truth is we don’t have to eat everything on our plate – even if we were told to do so as a child. You can bag up the leftovers for another meal if you like.

You can also order items ala cart and skip the fries. You can choose iced tea (sugarless) over soda options and you don’t have to have mayo or ranch on your burgers or chicken.

America has done a great job at providing consumers multiple choices. Consumers simply need to work at making better and more informed food intake decisions.

Diabetes is a terrible disease and we should do what we can to avoid placing ourselves at risk, but in the present economy it is hard to make sense of an idea that asks the government to work at inflating the price of food.

There are, of course, multiple issues involved in this debate, but it is interesting to see the lack of discussion related to personal choice.

It’s not unheard of to find a couple eating at a restaurant and simply sharing one meal. Sometimes they will not be able to finish the meal between them. This is an example of wise consuming.

We have more workout facilities than ever, but there are always more members not using those facilities on a regular basis than those who are.

The work many of us involve ourselves in is behind a computer or sitting at a desk most of the day. We get very little exercise and we’re generally in a hurry because our schedule is too full of things to do and people to see.

Is it possible that our lifestyle choices have more to do with the epidemic of diabetes than a cheap food supply?

What we do know is that the growth of diabetes is alarming and the costs associated with its care are enormous. No one can make you exercise or eat right, but your body will be much better off if you will. This is true about diabetes prevention efforts and it is true about self-managed care once the disease has been diagnosed.

Prediabetes Testing News: There are a couple of newsworthy stories that provide evidence that diabetes screening can take place in ways and places not previously used.

The first story deals with a breath analyzer test. The medical journal Diabetes Care indicated their researchers have made recommendations that “…this testing method is a novel way to detect pre-diabetes and early stage diabetes in a non-invasive way. This may be an ideal method for the large-scale testing of people who are at high risk for diabetes, and will be especially attractive in the testing of children who generally find blood extraction painful.”

The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston used this new method on 17 patients. Researchers tested with both conventional blood-testing methods as well as through the breath analyzer. What they discovered was the exact same results in side-by-side comparisons, but without the need to draw blood in the second scenario.

Seven of the 17 patients tested positive for early stage diabetes. Results are available within an hour of testing. Researchers indicate this process could allow for mass testing in large populations while not being invasive or intimidating.

Meanwhile TulsaWorld.com recently reported on new diabetes blood testing taking place at Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI). This testing procedure is part of a trial program paid for with grant funds.

OBI already provides free cholesterol screenings for all who donate blood. They also provide specific prostate screenings at a reduced price for blood donors.

The diabetes testing is limited to those who fall in an age range of 17-30 targeting blood donors in high school and college. The reason this testing is offered only to this age group has to do with the fact that many in this age category would not likely get tested believing that diabetes is a disease for someone older. Further, officials from OBI said, “We wanted to focus initially on those who have potentially a lifetime of good health ahead of them.”

More than 1,500 donors have been screened since the program started in August 2008. One donor was surprised to learn diabetes was present and many others who already knew they were diabetic were made aware that their diabetes was out of control. There were 117 donors who had elevated blood glucose levels that can be an early indicator of diabetes development. These individuals were encouraged to follow up with their primary care physician.

Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche along with Fenwal Blood Technologies provided the grants and testing supplies needed for this trial. It is unknown if OBI will be able to continue the diabetes screenings on a long-term basis for their blood supply donors, but for now one of the largest nonprofit regional blood centers in the country is providing a value added bonus for those volunteer to provide blood products that can be used to save countless other lives.

In both diabetes screening cases there is the potential to catch early signs of diabetes and work at management issues before the diabetes is out of control. It is easy to envision a time when breath analyzer tests can be administered in a school setting quickly and without pain or administered in a doctor’s office as part of a routine exam.

The reason this may be important is that in many cases individuals who have diabetes may often not be aware of its presence until an issue involving hospitalization brings the issue to light. Knowing early can allow the individual to make lifestyle changes that will positively impact their future.