quotable quotes - February 2010
the white house takes notice
"Obesity is also one of the biggest threats to the American economy. If we continue on our current path, in ten years, nearly 50 percent of all Americans will be obese. Not just overweight, but obese. So think about the related conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes… And think about what this means for our quality of life – for how people feel when they wake up in the morning; whether they can make it through a day of work; whether they can do something as simple as walking to the store, or playing ball with their kids and grandkids.”
- First Lady Michelle Obama, championing the fight against the obesity epidemic at the US Conference of Mayors.
another voice for diabetes education
"Education is insurance for life and a passport for eternity.”
- Vivian Fuentelzas Antezana (‘Vivir con Diabetes’ Education and Information Centre, Bolivia), stressing the value of diabetes education during the International Diabetes Federation’s 20th World Diabetes Congress in Montreal in late 2009.
face time
"In terms of technology aiding us [in treatment], it’s a question of whether technology would be best used as a supplement, or whether there are other effective ways to use it... However, the evidence is fairly clear that people do need some face time [with their healthcare provider].”
- Ann Albright, PhD, RD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Diabetes Translation, Atlanta), discussing the potential role of the internet in the patient-physician relationship.
the cost barrier
"So while we sit here and chastise regulators [for delaying the approval of new pharmaceuticals], we have other hurdles to deal with in terms of reimbursement that could be more substantial.”
- Barry Gumbiner, MD (Metabasis Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego), speaking on the challenges behind reimbursement for diabetes treatments at the 5th Annual Obesity and Diabetes Drug Development Summit meeting in Virginia in late 2009.
