Description
Created by the Florida Legislature over 40 years ago, the Diabetes Advisory Council (DAC) is mandated by section 385.203, Florida Statutes, to "guide a statewide comprehensive approach to diabetes prevention, diagnosis, education, care, treatment, impact, and costs thereof." Members are appointed by the Governor to represent professional sectors involved in diabetes prevention and care, as well as citizens with diabetes and other citizen advocates. In 2015, the Florida Legislature updated this statute and charged the DAC with the biennial submission of a report describing the public health consequences and financial impact of all types of diabetes and its resulting complications. The legislation instructed the DAC to collaborate with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Management Services (DMS), and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to describe the burden of diabetes and state programs and activities being implemented to address the burden, and to develop an action plan to reduce the impact of all types of diabetes. The report includes data on the scope and cost of diabetes in Florida; how each partner agency is addressing diabetes prevention and control for their population; how partners are coordinating efforts; recent successes; and recommended actions to reduce the impact of diabetes. Recommendations are provided and anticipated outcomes are described for optimal and no funding scenarios. The report is submitted to the Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate