There are 35 million Americans who are 65 years or older. 1 in 3 seniors have diabetes, and nearly 50% don't know it. Another 40% have pre-diabetes, a condition where blood sugar is higher than normal, but is not yet considered diabetes. All are at risk for serious health problems.
To help address this growing figure, the Medicare Diabetes Screening Project: A National Drive to Find the Undiagnosed was created in 2006. Its goal - increase awareness of the benefits for diabetes screening that Medicare offers to seniors ages 65 and older.
The Medicare Diabetes Screening Project is a coalition of more than 20 national partners, co-chaired by the American Diabetes Association, the Healthcare Leadership Council, and Novo Nordisk. These organizations have joined together to promote awareness and utilization of the diabetes screening benefit in Medicare.