Joint Statement Regarding Funding for the Diabetes Prevention Program
March 24, 2025
The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) and the Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) aredeeply alarmed by the impact that funding cuts imposed on Columbia University will have on theNational Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). This decision will havedevastating effects on public health, scientific progress, and millions of Americans at risk for or livingwith diabetes.
DPP has delivered landmark findings and released over 200 publications that have reshaped ourunderstanding of diabetes and related conditions, improving prevention and supporting longitudinalresearch worldwide. These findings have not only saved lives but also informed national policies andempowered countless people to take control of their health.
“If funding is not restored, we will lose three decades of taxpayer investment into evidence-basedresearch on preventing diabetes through lifestyle interventions,” said Hunter Limbaugh, DPAC BoardChair. “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 providedcritical insights into the long-term benefits of lifestyle interventions, the cost-effectiveness of preventivecare, and connections between diabetes and other chronic conditions—including kidney disease andcognitive decline. Most recently, the program has investigated the link between diabetes andAlzheimer’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 UnitedStates, making it one of the costliest chronic conditions. By defunding the DPP, we place an evengreater burden on our healthcare system and economy.”
With over 38 million Americans living with diabetes and 97 million more at risk for prediabetes, theneed 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 cornerstoneof efforts to reduce these costs and improve the quality of life for millions. Defunding this criticalprogram 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 andrestore funding to the Diabetes Prevention Program, which is a lifeline for over 100 million Americansliving with and at risk for diabetes and its complications. DPAC and DLC remain unwavering in ourcommitment to advocating for policies that prioritize diabetes prevention and care. We stand ready towork with policymakers, researchers, and the diabetes community to provide future generations withaccess to crucial tools for longer, healthier lives, and we call on Congress, healthcare leaders, and thepublic to join us in demanding this critical program be preserved.