ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwired - Jan 16, 2014) - The American Diabetes Association (Association) applauds the passage of the FY 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act and praises both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees for their leadership to help end the diabetes epidemic by investing in critical diabetes research and prevention programs. The bill, which was passed by the House and Senate this week, includes a substantial increase in funding levels at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Diabetes is a growing epidemic with nearly 26 million adults and children living with diabetes in the U.S. Another 79 million have prediabetes, putting them at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The passage of the FY 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act includes significant investments toward diabetes research and prevention to combat the physical and financial burden diabetes places on our nation.

The omnibus legislation provides $137.3 million for the CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation, representing a $76 million increase for the program, and more than doubling the resources from FY 2013. The legislation appropriates $10 million in funding for the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which was not funded in FY 2013. This reinvestment in the National Diabetes Prevention Program will help provide access, for the growing number of Americans who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, to this important community-based prevention program. In addition, more than $1.7 billion was allocated for the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the NIH. This represents a $51 million increase over funding levels for FY 2013 and a three percent overall increase for NIH. While more can always be done, these increases are a welcomed relief from the sequestration budget cuts, and provide an opportunity to advance diabetes research and prevention efforts.

"The passage of the FY 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act will make a dramatic difference in our ongoing efforts to Stop Diabetes®," said Dwight Holing, Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. "The American Diabetes Association is grateful that Congress stood up and made diabetes a national priority, providing an increased level of federal funding that will make a significant impact on the lives of people living with, and at risk for, diabetes."

With the rate of diabetes on the rise and the estimated annual cost of diagnosed diabetes at $245 billion, the renewed federal commitment to diabetes is a step in the right direction. The considerable increase in funding levels across many of the key diabetes research and prevention programs will have a significant impact on the future of diabetes and is a major victory in the fight to end this devastating disease.

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org.