Diabetes Issues to be Addressed at IIT Conference

Chicago, March 20, 2008 — “Diabetes: Solutions for the 21st century- Research, Economics, Policy and Ethics” Friday, April 18

Diabetes, a disease that has quickly taken center-stage in health policy throughout the world, will take center-stage at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 West Adams St., Chicago, when the university’s Center for Diabetes Research and Policy hosts “Diabetes: Solutions for the 21st century- Research, Economics, Policy and Ethics” from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 18.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), diabetes has been diagnosed in more than 245 million people worldwide and that number will reach 380 million by the year 2025. The disease is linked with a variety of issues including lifestyle approaches, social factors and minority incidence that present policymakers with daunting challenges when working to reduce its impact. The conference will draw on experts to discuss these issues and review the latest developments in research, clinical practice and public policy for diabetes.

Conference speakers include leaders from the Pan American Health Organization, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Public Health Economics Program and several other highly recognized organizations, as well as scientists from IIT and Northwestern University who will share cutting-edge research focusing on health economics approaches and ethical implications.

Speakers scheduled to appear at the conference includes:

  • Alberto Barcelo, Regional Adviser on Noncommunicable Diseases, Pan American Health Organization/WHO:
    The Global Challenge of Diabetes

  • Richard K. Burt, Chief of the Division of Immunotherapy and Autoimmune Diseases, Northwestern University:
    Stem Cell Transplantation for Diabetes

  • Krista Donahue ,Deputy Director, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services:
    Diabetes: Public Heath Policy Challenges

  • Eric A. Finkelstein, Director, Public Health Economics Program, RTI International:
    An Economic Framework for determining the appropriate Government Response to Rising Rates of Obesity

  • Benjamin Littenberg, MD, Henry and Carleen Tufo Professor of Medicine & Professor of Nursing; Director, General Internal Medicine, University of Vermont; CEO, Vermont Clinical Decision Support, LLC Vermedx.com:
    Laboratory-based Chronic Disease Surveillance: Clinical, Economic and Policy Controversies

  • Laurie Zoloth, Professor of Medical Humanities & Bioethics and Religion
    Director of Center for Bioethics, Science and Society, Northwestern University:
    Diabetes, Policy and Ethics

  • Jennifer Kang Derwent, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pritzker Institute of Biomedical Science and Engineering, IIT:
    Ocular Complications of Diabetes and Treatment Options

  • Edward Kraus , Associate Professor of Clinical Practice, Chicago-Kent College of Law, IIT:
    Disability, Diabetes and the Law

  • Ali Cinar, Professor of Chemical Engineering; Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate College; Director, Complex Systems and Dynamics Research Center, IIT:
    Engineering and Science Research at IIT to Support New Technologies to Cure Diabetes and its Complications

  • Elie Geisler, Professor of Management, IIT Stuart School of Business

  • Nilmini Wickramasinghe, Associate Professor and Associate Director of Center for the Management of Medical Technologies, IIT Stuart School of Business:
    Technology-enabled Solutions for Monitoring of Chronic Diseases: The Case of Diabetes

  • Moderator: Nigel M. de S. Cameron, Research Professor and Associate Dean, IIT Center for Diabetes Research and Policy


The conference is free, but those wishing to attend are asked to register by responding to diabetes@kentlaw.edu or by contacting Heather Keil at hkeil@kentlaw.edu or 312.906.5337. Lunch will be provided and the conference will conclude with a reception.


Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting university with more than 6,700 students in engineering, sciences, architecture, psychology, design, humanities, business and law. IIT's interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum is designed to advance knowledge through research and scholarship, to cultivate invention improving the human condition, and to prepare students from throughout the world for a life of professional achievement, service to society, and individual fulfillment.
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