Dr. Linda Siminerio: Dr. Linda Siminerio is here and ready for your questions.

older-parent: It seems that we spend a lot of effort, time and money treating the effects of diabetes but not as much on prevention efforts. Is there interest among lawmakers or even pharmaceutical companies in providing funding for such programs?

Dr. Linda Siminerio: Yes, there is interest finally with policymakers who recognize health care costs, now with the escalating rates and impact on things like employment, employment benefits, missed work days, cost to Medicaid and Medicare. They are paying attention. For example, surprisingly countries like Japan are now preparing for an epidemic of diabetes, and so there is a national policy that all people over the age of 40 annually get screened for diabetes. In the pharmaceutical arena, when there are large opportunities to reach people with therapies, pharmaceutical industries are busy developing things that are in the pipelines.

older-parent: Dr. Siminiero, what age do you think education should begin? And what are the challenges in getting educators to buy into such a program?

Dr. Linda Siminerio: There are different levels of education. Education for prevention happens across the lifespan. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it happens immediately. There are levels of education available for children as young as 4. Education is communication, so even when you are working with a child who is receiving an education, there is a level of education that's happening in the child's terms. It can be done through play.

DRBRINE28: YES

PG_davetempleton Dr. Brine, we've heard that you have had experiences working at diabetes camps for children. Do you find the experience beneficial for the provider and for the child?

Mr._Curious: There's a lot of talk about prevention rather than cure. Are you aware of any real strides being made on the medical front? Is there a magic bullet out there?

Dr. Linda Siminerio: Diabetes is relatively new epidemic. That said, being a new epidemic, the work is now underway in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, and I wouldn't be surprised if a magic-bullet approach is being considered and explored. But for now, the best way to ward off diabetes is a healthy lifestyle.

drbrine28: Absolutely, the camps available for children with both type 1 and type 2 are a great benefit to children. While working at Camp Crestfield, the western PA camp, many of the children experience an environment where everyone has diabetes for the first time and they realize that they are not the only one with this disease. Not only does camp make these children more comfortable with having diabetes, they also learn various management skills at an early age. Many of my campers ages 7-9 draw their own insulin, and give their own injections for the first time. They also acquire skills such as learn how to have a health balanced as well as carb counting.

Dr. Linda Siminerio: Thanks for the information. I hope this message gets to families who may be struggling in getting their child with diabetes to understand and learn the important skills that are necessary for their management.

Mr._Curious: Given its epidemic status, do you think diabetes research is appropriately funded on a federal level? Can't imagine it's up there with the money devoted to cancer and heart disease research.

Dr. Linda Siminerio: I do not think it's adequately funded. We not only need funds for basic diabetes research, support for programs through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are necessary in supporting what is now known as translational research. This means bringing basic and clinical scientific research into communities. We all need to be political advocates for diabetes, and I suggest that anyone interested in making sure that diabetes research is adequately funded join the American Diabetes Association's efforts in government relations and advocacy. The ADA Web site is www.diabetes.org. You can join as an advocate online.

Dr. Linda Siminerio: This will end today's chat. Thank you for participating and stay healthy -- Linda Siminerio.