Resources
The ADA supports a variety of tools to educate its
members and the public.
Their National Call Center provides diabetes infor-
mation and referral for callers nationwide through their
toll-free 800 number. The Call Center responds to
approximately 350,000 inquiries each year.
The ADA also supports a website that is available
for anyone with Internet access and links them to
pertinent diabetes and diabetes prevention informa-
tion, advocacy, membership information and com-
munity and local events.
ADA Research
Founded in October 1994, the American Diabetes
Association Research Foundation (ADARF) was cre-
ated to raise money to directly fund diabetes research.
This unique program is intended to complement the
governments National Institutes of Health (NIH) dia-
betes research program through supporting new inves-
tigators and innovative research ideas. Through
donations, the ADA has been able to provide nearly
$40 million towards diabetes research in 2005.
FundsprovidedbyADARFsupportpeer-reviewed
basic and clinical diabetes research proposed to pre-
vent, treat, and/or cure diabetes. Past research projects
supported by the ADARF varied from the microcel-
lular research to exploring education and psycholog-
ical issues related to diabetes.
All ADARF grants become part of the Diabetes
Research database that is accessible to anyone with
access to the ADA website. This database provides
brief descriptions of each funded project, and gives
brief summaries on the value the study findings may
have for the field of diabetes research. Database con-
tents are updated at least every six months.
Other methods ADA uses to distribute research
findings are through Access: Diabetes Research, and
the Forefront Research Magazine. Both present sum-
maries of diabetes research.
Education Program Recognition
To ensure quality education for people with dia-
betes, the ADA endorses the National Standards for
Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. The
Standards are designed to endorse any health care
setting offering diabetes education, from physicians’
offices and HMOs to clinics and hospitals. All appli-
cants must meet the National Standards before they
are awarded the endorsement from the ADA.
The National Diabetes Advisory Board (NDAB)
developed the National Standards for Diabetes Patient
Education Programs. The ADA then endorsed the
Standards in 1983 while participating in the nation-
wide pilot testing of the Standards and review criteria
in 1984. The first edition of the Standards was pub-
lished in Diabetes Care in 1984. In 1986 an application
and review process was established through the ADA
to determine whether an education program met the
Standards. Then in 1987, the first programs to meet
the Standards were recognized by the ADA.
The Standards are reviewed and revised every five-
year cycle. In 1995 and in 2000, a task force of repre-
sentatives from the diabetes community completed a
review of the Standards. The representatives are com-
piled from the American Association of Diabetes
Educators, American Diabetes Association, Ameri-
can Dietetic Association, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs, Dia-
betes Research and Training Centers, Indian Health
Service, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and National
Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.
The revised Standards are now called the National
Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education
and are endorsed by all organizations involved in its
development. When changes occur, the Education
Program Recognition Committee of the ADA revises
the application for Recognition, currently the 6th edi-
tion, to reflect the revised Standards.Professional Services
The Association provides educational and infor-
mative materials and programs for health professio-
nals thru various media. Annually they sponsor a
scientific sessions diabetes conference, in addition to
other medical and scientific programs. The ADA pub-
lishes and updates their medical care guidelines and
recommendations for health professionals. They also
support special interest groups for professionals.Publications
The ADA is the world’s foremost publisher in the
field of diabetes literature, including Diabetes Fore-
cast, a monthly consumer magazine, and a range of
publications and journals for research and health care
professionals, such as Diabetes, Diabetes Care, Dia-
betes Spectrum, Clinical Diabetes, and access to a
comprehensive library of medical management guides.Fund Raising Activities
Each year, the ADA state chapters organize local
events to increase awareness of diabetes within theirAmerican Diabetes Association