HHS Secretary Thompson to be Honored by The American Diabetes Assn for Excellence in Wellness Promotion, Disease Prevention

6/13/2002

From: Mark Overbay of The American Diabetes Association, 703-549-1500, ext. 2290

SAN FRANCISCO, June 13 -- The American Diabetes Association, the nation's largest and leading voluntary health organization in the fight against diabetes, announced today that U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tommy G. Thompson, will receive the Association's prestigious C. Everett Koop Medal for Health Promotion and Awareness at a luncheon on Friday during the organization's 62nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, which runs from June 14-18.

"The Secretary continually demonstrates his passionate support to the effort of diabetes awareness and prevention," said Christopher Saudek, M.D., president, American Diabetes Association. "Secretary Thompson has also been very successful in leading the effort to position the Department of Health and Human Services as a leader in successful public/private health education activities," added Saudek. "We are delighted to present him with this award recognizing his valuable contributions."

The C. Everett Koop Medal for Health Promotion and Awareness honors excellence in wellness promotion and disease prevention. Named for former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop, the award is not limited to efforts in diabetes.

Thompson was chosen to receive this award as recognition of his efforts to educate Americans about their risk for diabetes and to raise awareness of the newly defined medical condition known as "pre-diabetes." He is also being honored for encouraging Americans to take healthy steps to reduce their risks for the disease and its complications.

Thompson has dedicated his professional life to public service, most recently serving as the governor of Wisconsin from 1987-2001, until accepting his appointment by President George W. Bush as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Throughout his career in the public sector, Thompson has made preventive health care a priority. In his role as Secretary of HHS, Thompson has brought creativity, passion and personal conviction to the ongoing fight against diabetes, which has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.

More than 12,000 top scientists, physicians and other health care professionals from around the world will share cutting-edge research, treatment recommendations and advances toward a cure for diabetes at the Association's 62nd Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body's ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood sugar to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. An estimated 17 million Americans have diabetes. And an additional 16 million have pre-diabetes. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the United States and it has no cure.

Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading nonprofit voluntary health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

To fulfill this mission, the American Diabetes Association funds research, publishes scientific findings, and provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health care professionals and the public. The Association is also actively involved in advocating for increased funding for scientific research and the rights of people with diabetes. For more information call 800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) or visit the Web site at http://www.diabetes.org.