Diabetes News You Can Use
Cost, side effects prompt older adults to stop GLP-1s
Many older adults start GLP-1 drugs for diabetes or weight loss but stop within months, often losing the health gains they initially achieved. Studies show discontinuation rates are especially high among people 65 and older, driven by side effects like nausea, loss of muscle mass, drug shortages, high costs and inconsistent Medicare coverage. Policy changes are under consideration, including a potential expansion of Medicare eligibility for obesity treatment.
Full Story: KFF Health News (1/5)
Semaglutide may lower insulin use for adults with type 1 diabetes
A post hoc analysis of the ADJUST-T1D trial suggested semaglutide can reduce insulin use for adults with type 1 diabetes. The study in Diabetes Care found a 17.7% reduction in total daily insulin dose at four weeks and a 22.6% decrease at 26 weeks.
Full Story: Healio (free registration) (1/5)
Statins may help adults with type 2 diabetes regardless of CV risk
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that statins were associated with reductions in all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular disease risks for adults with type 2 diabetes, regardless of baseline cardiovascular risk. “We anticipated benefit in higher-risk patients, but the consistency of benefit across all strata, including low-risk individuals, was striking,” said lead author Eric Yuk Fai Wan.
Full Story: Medscape (1/6)
US sees 36% jump in gestational diabetes rates
Gestational diabetes rates in the US rose 36% from 2016 to 2024, according to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine. The highest rates were among Alaska Native or American Indian individuals, at 136.7 per 1,000 births in 2024, an increase from 113.2 in 2016. Rates were second highest among Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders, at 126 per 1,000 births, up from 93.8 in 2016. Study author Emily Lam said factors include rising prevalence of overweight and obesity, older maternal age at the time of first birth and increased metabolic risk.
Full Story: Medscape (12/29)
Youth-onset diabetes linked to pregnancy risks
Women with youth-onset type 2 diabetes during pregnancy may face a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared with those diagnosed in with type 2 diabetes adulthood, researchers reported in Diabetes Care. Data from 349 pregnant women who have type 2 diabetes indicated those with youth-onset diabetes were more likely to have infants born preterm, or with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia or congenital cardiac anomalies.
Full Story: Healio (free registration) (12/28)
HHS cuts grants for American Academy of Pediatrics
The FDA has approved Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide for obesity, making it the first GLP-1 pill for weight loss. The pill, which shares the same active ingredient as Wegovy, is expected to be available in early 2026. This approval gives Novo Nordisk a competitive edge over Eli Lilly, which is also developing an obesity pill. The drug’s initial price is set at $149 per month.
Full Story: CNBC (12/22)
HHS cuts grants for American Academy of Pediatrics
HHS has terminated several multimillion-dollar grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics, including funding for child health initiatives focused on conditions such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and autism. The agency said the grants no longer align with departmental priorities related to language about identity. The academy has recently been critical of changes in HHS vaccine policy and has issued its own guidance on COVID-19 vaccination.
Full Story: The Guardian (London) (12/17)
High-fat dairy may offer slight brain benefit
A study in Neurology suggests that high-fat dairy products like cheese and cream may slightly reduce the risk of dementia. The observational study tracked nearly 28,000 people in Sweden for up to 25 years. However, outside experts noted limitations, including the potential for the findings to be due to chance because researchers looked for associations with multiple types of food.
Full Story: CNN (12/18)
Pharmacy intervention increases SGLT2 inhibitor use
A study presented at a meeting of the American Society of Nephrology found a pharmacy-based intervention increased use of SGLT2 inhibitors among patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The research, involving over 8,600 veterans, showed patients who received a pharmacy consultation were more likely to be prescribed and continue using SGLT2 inhibitors compared with those who received usual care.
Full Story: Healio (free registration) (12/16)
Similar CV benefits found with tirzepatide, dulaglutide
The dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide was as effective as the GLP-1 drug dulaglutide in reducing cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine. Tirzepatide showed greater metabolic benefits, including weight and A1C reduction.
Full Story: MedPage Today (free registration) (12/17)
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DRC Affiliate Ian de Boer to Give Garabed Eknoyan Endowed Lectureship
DRC affiliate Ian de Boer, professor (Nephrology) will present the Garabed Eknoyan Endowed Lectureship, “KDIGO Guidelines Decoded: What They Mean for CKD Management in Practice” at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week. Named in honor of Garabed Eknoyan, MD, an esteemed researcher, educator, and clinician, the lecture recognizes individuals who have made an impact on or dedicated their lives to the kidney community. More information here.
Congratulations to this year’s funding awardees
Congratulations to this year’s funding awardees: Dr. Nicholas Chavkin and Dr. Stephen McCartney have been awarded Pilot and Feasibility awards and Ms. Jocelyn Cervantes has been awarded the Stroum Graduate Fellowship award.
NIDDK 75th Anniversary
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of NIDDK, Diabetes Care and Diabetes have published a compendium of ten articles that highlight just a few of the major contributions NIIDK has fostered through its support of research. These articles provide a broad, but clearly not complete, view of the results that have been achieved through their fostering of science across the country. Included amongst these is a paper by members of NIDDK about the research centers including the Diabetes Research Centers Program. There is also an editorial that celebrates NIDDK and at the same times raises concerns about the future of research and public health related to diabetes given the current discussion about the funding and restructuring of NIDDK and CDC.
DRC Affiliate Edward Boyko is Co-Chair of New Diabetes Atlas
DRC affiliate, Edward Boyko, professor (General Internal Medicine) is co-chair of the new edition of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas. As the number of people living with diabetes continues to rise, the latest IDF Diabetes Atlas emphasizes the urgent need for improved prevention, early detection and intervention to tackle the burden diabetes places on individuals, communities, health systems and economies.
Learn more on our news site.
CVTMC Director Karin Bornfeldt Announced as 2025 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Fellow
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) announced that CVTMC Director Karin Bornfeldt, professor (Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition), has been named among its 2025 class of fellows. Designation as a fellow recognizes commitment to the ASBMB through a history of exceptional and sustained service to the society as well as impactful accomplishments in research, education, mentorship, and service to the scientific community. Twenty-four fellows were selected this year. Read more here.