The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) hosted the
National Diabetes Heart Connection Day, a health observance briefing on Capitol Hill on November 9 to raise awareness of the co-occurrence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The event included insights from many perspectives of this important cause and highlighted areas where Congress can and should transition this awareness effort into action.
Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT)—sponsor of the
awareness day resolution in the House along with Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA)—addressed the crowd about the importance of this bipartisan opportunity in health care. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) had introduced the
awareness day resolution in the Senate where it passed on November 8.
Speakers at the event also provided recommendations for team-based care coordination, reduced barriers for community health workers, increased leadership from elected official in cultivating social wellness norms that can bring community and employer gains, and for a paradigm shift in the education process from focusing on provider accountability to motivating self-care and health quality.
ACPM is one of more than 30 organizations who pledged support for the recognition of National Diabetes Heart Connection Day.