Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) announced that his legislation, to lower the incidence of gestational diabetes and prevent affected women and their children from later developing Type 2 diabetes, unanimously passed the full House of Representatives late Wednesday by a voice vote.

“Over the last 15 years, the number of Americans with diabetes has doubled to more than 20 million, with approximately 135,000 American women diagnosed with gestational diabetes annually.  It can occur in women who have never had diabetes, but who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.  While the condition usually goes away after pregnancy, it could have significant future impacts on both mother and child, including an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.  We need to be more proactive in detecting, treating and slowing the incidents of gestational diabetes.  My Gestational Diabetes Act of 2010 (GEDI – HR 5354), will help us accomplish those goals,” said Rep. Engel, a senior member of the Committee, and primary author of the legislation. “The statistics surrounding diabetes are staggering, but we must always remember there is a human face behind every number, with far too many of them being children.”

Gestational diabetes usually occurs during weeks 24-28 of pregnancy, and usually goes away after pregnancy. However, if untreated, it could have significant impacts on the mother and her child giving them higher risks of developing Type 2 diabetes among other potential complications.

The legislation would:

• Develop a multi-site gestational diabetes research project within the CDC diabetes program to enhance surveillance and public health research on gestational diabetes.
• Provide demonstration grants to focus on reducing the incidence of gestational diabetes
• Expand basic, clinical and public health research investigating gestational diabetes and current treatments and therapies available. 

Rep. Engel added, “The fight against diabetes is ongoing and one which needs constant attention. We cannot rest because the disease never does. By continuing to develop ways to identify, treat and prevent we can move continually closer to the eventual goal – finding a cure.”

The legislation is now pending in the Senate.  It is supported by the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Women’s Association, the Association of Women’s Health, the International Community Health Services, the Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, and the Society for Women’s Health Research and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

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