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Improving the Diagnosis, Treatment, and
Prevention of Diabetes
Health Problem
About 16 million people in the United States have diabetes.
Many current laboratory measurements to diagnose, treat, and manage diabetes need refinement. Some tests do not produce consistent results.
A great deal remains unknown about the risk factors, particularly genetic risk factors, for developing diabetes.
Laboratory Response
CDC works with the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) to standardize measurements of hemoglobin A1C. Hemoglobin A1C is a marker for assessing long-term control of diabetes. Currently, CDC has the only IFCC-certified network laboratory in the United States.
CDC participates with the Immunology of Diabetes Society in developing methods for standardizing the measurement of the autoantibodies of type 1 diabetes.
CDC collaborates with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation on research to determine genetic risk factors for type 1 diabetes.
CDC identifies reference methods and materials to assist in properly calibrating and standardizing blood glucose monitors.
CDC funds the development of devices and techniques for noninvasive or minimally invasive monitoring of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Health Impact
CDC is improving laboratory measurements used to determine how well a person’s diabetes is being kept under
control.
CDC is helping to prevent thousands of unnecessary deaths and complications associated with diabetes.
Future Opportunities
In the future, CDC can develop additional state-of-the-art technology
to help researchers more quickly identify genetic, serologic, and
immunologic risk factors for diabetes. CDC also can expand its
laboratory efforts to more fully address type 2 diabetes.
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