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American Diabetes Association (ADA) Applauds Rhode Island Legislature for Making Schools Safer for Children With Diabetes

Posted on: Thursday, 7 August 2008, 18:01 CDT

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) applauds the Rhode Island legislature for making schools safer for children with diabetes by recently passing the glucagon bill. This legislation allows non-medical staff in schools to administer glucagon when a school nurse is not present and the child is experiencing severe hypoglycemia. Companion versions of the bill were introduced by Senator Charles Levesque and Representative Al Gemma and both were passed with resounding support. Under the provisions of the law, state agencies will be required to revise related school health regulations and to establish training guidelines for school personnel.

"As both a nurse and a certified diabetes outpatient educator, I'm very pleased to see the bill's passage into law," said Dolores Norton Braica, RN, BS, CNP, CDOE. "Severe hypoglycemia resulting in seizures or unconsciousness is an emergency situation that can be deadly -- if a nurse is not present, it is important that someone be trained to respond right away."

Today, 23.6 million children and adults in the United States -- or nearly 8 percent of the population -- have diabetes. Diabetes is among the leading causes of death by disease in the United States. Since 1987, the death rate due to diabetes has increased by 45 percent, while the death rates due to heart disease, stroke, and cancer have declined.

The ADA is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. The Association's advocacy efforts include helping to combat discrimination against people with diabetes; advocating for the increase of diabetes research and prevention programs by government; and improved access to, and quality of, healthcare for people with diabetes. The ADA's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association provides service to hundreds of communities across the country. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

 Contact: Shana Starkand (703) 549-1500, ext. 2622 sstarkand@diabetes.org

SOURCE: American Diabetes Association

Source: MARKET WIRE

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