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The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) and the Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) are deeply alarmed by the impact that funding cuts imposed on Columbia University will have on the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). This decision will have devastating effects on public health, scientific progress, and millions of Americans at risk for or living with diabetes.
DPP has delivered landmark findings and released over 200 publications that have reshaped our understanding of diabetes and related conditions, improving prevention and supporting longitudinal research worldwide. These findings have not only saved lives but also informed national policies and empowered countless people to take control of their health.
“If funding is not restored, we will lose three decades of taxpayer investment into evidence-based research on preventing diabetes through lifestyle interventions,” said Hunter Limbaugh, DPAC Board Chair. “This decision is completely illogical. The DPP should be preserved and supported, not cut.”
The DPP’s impact extends beyond diabetes prevention. Over the last 30 years, the study has provided critical insights into the long-term benefits of lifestyle interventions, the cost-effectiveness of preventive care, and connections between diabetes and other chronic conditions—including kidney disease and cognitive decline. Most recently, the program has investigated the link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, offering hope for mitigating one of the most pressing health challenges of our time.
“This decision directly harms the health and future of our nation,” said Stewart Perry, DLC Board Chair. “Diabetes is a leading cause of disability, heart disease, kidney failure, and blindness in the United States, making it one of the costliest chronic conditions. By defunding the DPP, we place an even greater burden on our healthcare system and economy.”
With over 38 million Americans living with diabetes and 97 million more at risk for prediabetes, the need for effective prevention strategies has never been greater. Diabetes costs the U.S. economy over $400 billion annually in direct medical expenses and lost productivity. The DPP has been a cornerstone of efforts to reduce these costs and improve the quality of life for millions. Defunding this critical program sends a dangerous message that chronic disease prevention is no longer a national priority.
DLC and DPAC urge the Trump Administration to reconsider the implications of this decision and restore funding to the Diabetes Prevention Program, which is a lifeline for over 100 million Americans living with and at risk for diabetes and its complications. DPAC and DLC remain unwavering in our commitment to advocating for policies that prioritize diabetes prevention and care. We stand ready to work with policymakers, researchers, and the diabetes community to provide future generations with access to crucial tools for longer, healthier lives, and we call on Congress, healthcare leaders, and the public to join us in demanding this critical program be preserved.
