Panelists to discuss the contemporary landscape and financial impact of diabetes in the workplace
The American Diabetes Association® (ADA) is proud to host its upcoming State of Diabetes: Pittsburgh, held for the first time on World Diabetes Day, November 14.
“As the diabetes epidemic continues to affect employees and employers alike, there has never been a greater need for critical discussions around diabetes, nutrition, prevention, and solutions to drive a healthier community in Western Pennsylvania,” said Chelsea Musial, the ADA’s executive director, West Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh. “State of Diabetes: Pittsburgh will connect key community stakeholders and provide real world examples, data and analytics, and solutions for some of our most challenging employer health care needs.”
State of Diabetes: Pittsburgh will be hosted by Executive Chair Nebeyou Abebe, Highmark Health, SVP, Social Determinants of Health. “Nearly one of four healthcare dollars is spent on diabetes- related care. This underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive, multi-sector approach that not only delivers more effective care but also proactively addresses the root causes of this disease,” said Abebe. “We must engage communities upstream with initiatives that prioritize nutrition security and health education to curb the dramatic impact of diabetes, advance health equity, and build a healthier future for all."
Featuring panelists Brenna Shebel, Business Group on Health, VP, Center for Data Driven Insights; Dr. Susan Deakin, DO, MMM, FACP, Highmark Health, Living Health Medical Director; and Dr. Saba Khan, MD, MSCE, FAAP, Epicured, Chief Medical Officer, the panel will engage in critical discussions on how to leverage ADA resources to address the contemporary landscape of diabetes and the financial impact on employers and employees. In addition to the panel discussion, a networking session and breakfast will be provided.
In Pennsylvania, approximately 1,145,500 adults, or 11.1% of the adult population, have been diagnosed with diabetes. Each year, an estimated additional 61,000 adults are diagnosed. The annual State of Diabetes event serves as a pivotal gathering, uniting employers, industry leaders, health care providers, and community experts.
State of Diabetes: Pittsburgh is sponsored by leaders in the Pennsylvania diabetes health care community, including Epicured. The CEO of Epicured, Richard Bennett said, "As the healthcare industry’s leading Food is Medicine company, we are delighted to support the American Diabetes Association. We follow the ADA’s guidelines and nutritional science in offering a rich choice of delicious food tailored to the therapeutic needs and dietary and cultural preferences of our customers."
Over 38 million Americans are living with diabetes, and with health care costs at an all-time high, people with diagnosed diabetes have on average 2.6 times higher medical expenditures than those without. This year’s esteemed panelists will share their expert perspectives on employee diabetes health care challenges and solutions from both a national and regional perspective.
Registration is free and open to employers, health care providers, and community-based organizations. For more information, visit diabetes.org/sodpittsburgh. Media interested in previewing the event can schedule an interview by emailing press@diabetes.org.
# # #
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to end diabetes and helping people thrive. For 84 years, the ADA has driven discovery and research to prevent, manage, treat, and ultimately cure diabetes. There are 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Through advocacy, program development, and education, we’re fighting for them all. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
