The US Congress has taken a significant step forward by approving a funding increase for the Special Diabetes Program, marking the first such increase since 2004. This decision is expected to bolster efforts to find therapies for type 1 diabetes and address the disproportionate impact of type 2 diabetes on American Indians and Alaskan natives.
The approved increase, slated to be signed by President Joe Biden, entails a short-term extension of the Special Diabetes Program until the end of 2024. Notably, it includes a $10 million boost each for type 1 research funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders (NIDDK) and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, bringing their respective allocations to $160 million for the year.
Established in 1997, the Special Diabetes Program has been reauthorized annually by Congress. However, funding has remained stagnant since fiscal year 2004.
NIDDK Director Griffin Rodgers, MD, expressed gratitude for the increase, stating that it will enable the agency to leverage past research achievements, such as the development of the first preventative therapy for type 1 diabetes and artificial pancreas technologies. Rodgers emphasized the potential of emerging research opportunities to advance the field and enhance public health.
Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), instrumental in securing the funding increase, highlighted the Program’s contributions. They noted that funds from the Program facilitated the introduction of the first fully automated insulin-dosing system in 2017 and supported trials that led to the approval of another artificial pancreas system by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Commenting on the renewal and funding increase, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation CEO Aaron Kowalski, PhD, underscored the importance of ensuring continuous support for critical type 1 diabetes research.
Similarly, the Endocrine Society expressed satisfaction with Congress’s decision to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program, recognizing its significance in advancing diabetes research and treatment.
The Special Diabetes Program for Indians, as reported by the Indian Health Board, serves approximately 780,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives across 302 programs in 35 states. This program adopts a culturally informed and community-directed approach to address type 2 diabetes in Tribal communities.
The approval of increased funding for the Special Diabetes Program marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat diabetes, improve treatments, and address disparities in diabetes care.
