Congresswoman Waters introduces bills to help improve outcomes diabetes and Alzheimer’s

(Special to The Dallas Examiner) – WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Maxine Waters, CA-43, Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, introduced two bills last week to improve the outcomes of two chronic diseases that disproportionately affect African American families across the country.

She introduced the Minority Diabetes Initiative Act, H.R. 10193, Nov. 21 in honor of National Diabetes Month, which is celebrated in November. This bill will establish an initiative to provide grants to community-based organizations and other public and nonprofit health care providers for diabetes prevention, care and treatment programs in minority communities, which are disproportionately impacted by diabetes. The bill is cosponsored by 21 of the congresswoman’s congressional colleagues and endorsed by the American Diabetes Association.

The act will provide grants for a variety of diabetes-related health services, including public education on diabetes prevention and control, routine health care for diabetic patients, eye care, foot care and treatment for kidney disease and other complications of diabetes.

“Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is having a severe impact on minority communities,” Waters said.

Diabetes diagnoses affects 12.1% of African American, 13.6% of American Indians/Alaskan Native, 11.7% of Hispanic, 9.1% of Asian American and 6.9% of White adults, the American Diabetes Association reported.

Furthermore, compared to Whites, African Americans are twice as likely to die from the disease,

Hispanic Americans are 50% more likely to die and American Indians/Alaska Natives are 60% more likely to die, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calculated.

“Diabetes can lead to serious and sometimes deadly complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage, and lower-limb amputations,” Waters warned. “Minorities with diabetes often lack access to quality health care and are more likely to suffer from complications and even die from diabetes. This important legislation will help reduce the incidence of diabetes among minorities and enable those affected to live healthy and productive lives.”  

On Friday, she introduced the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act, H.R. 10192, in honor of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, which is also celebrated in November. The bill was cosponsored by 19 of her congressional colleagues and endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and the National Down Syndrome Society

The act authorizes grants to public and nonprofit organizations to expand training and support services for families and unpaid caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate with the Administration for Community Living, the Office of Women’s Health, and the Office of Minority Health in order to ensure that women, minorities, people living with disabilities and underserved communities will benefit from the program.

“Alzheimer’s is a tragic disease affecting almost seven million Americans, and it is taking a severe toll on families and caregivers,” Waters stated. “I am proud to have the support of so many of my colleagues to confront the immense challenges that Alzheimer’s presents to patients, families and caregivers.”

Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death among adults in the U.S. and the sixth leading cause of death among adults aged 65 years and older, according to the CDC. Moreover, while promising scientific research is ongoing, there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s has a devastating impact on caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that more than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care to family and friends living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. These caregivers provide more than 18 billion hours of unpaid care for people with dementia every year, at an estimated value of nearly $350 billion. When compared with caregivers for people without dementia, twice as many caregivers for people with dementia indicate substantial emotional, financial and physical difficulties.

“Expanding access to training and support services will improve the ability of caregivers to provide effective and compassionate care, promote the physical and mental health of caregivers, and lower overall care costs by allowing those living with dementia to remain in their homes with their loved ones while delaying placement in more costly institutional settings,” Waters said.

The post Congresswoman Waters introduces bills to help improve outcomes diabetes and Alzheimer’s appeared first on Dallas Examiner.