The Endocrine Society has launched a series of educational briefings for congressional offices about endocrine research.
On March 30, we hosted a virtual congressional briefing on COVID-19 and diabetes. Our panel included Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08), the only U.S. Representative living with type 1 diabetes and a pediatrician; director of the National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Griffin P. Rodgers, MD, director of the NIDDK Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, William Cefalu, MD; and Endocrine Society members Joshua Joseph, MD, MPH, FAHA, and Mary Korytkowski, MD.
Congressional staff learned about how people with diabetes have more severe cases and poorer outcomes from COVID-19; the need to address racial and ethnic disparities in diabetes and COVID-19; what we now know about COVID-19 and diabetes; and what we need to further study. The Endocrine Society will continue to share the recording f the briefing along with our funding recommendations for the National Institutes of Health with congressional staff as we advocate for increased support for medical research.
On April 14, we hosted a “virtual” congressional briefing with the NIDDK to share recent advances and emerging opportunities with congressional staff. Congress is beginning the annual federal appropriations process of determining funding for all federal agencies, so this is an opportune time to make sure it is aware of the important research happening at all NIH Institutes.
Our briefing included a panel of NIDDK director Griffin P. Rodgers, his three division directors, and a diabetes patient to talk about the important work occurring at the NIDDK and how the Institute is addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the research workforce and in clinical trials.
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