The American Diabetes Association (ADA) “Standards of Care in Diabetes” includes the ADA’s current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, an interprofessional expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA’s clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.
Managing the daily health demands of diabetes can be challenging. People living with diabetes should not have to face discrimination due to diabetes. By advocating for the rights of those with diabetes at all levels, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) can help to ensure that they live a healthy and productive life. A strategic goal of the ADA is for more children and adults with diabetes to live free from the burden of discrimination. The ADA is also focused on making sure cost is not a barrier to successful diabetes management.
One tactic for achieving these goals has been to implement the ADA Standards of Care through advocacy-oriented statements. The ADA publishes evidence-based, peer-reviewed statements on topics such as diabetes and employment, diabetes and driving, insulin access and affordability, and diabetes management in certain settings such as schools, childcare programs, and detention facilities. In addition to the ADA’s clinical documents, these advocacy statements are important tools in educating schools, employers, licensing agencies, policymakers, and others about the intersection of diabetes management and the law and for providing scientifically supported policy recommendations.
Advocacy Statements
The following is a partial list of advocacy statements ordered by publication date, with the most recent statement appearing first. A comprehensive list of advocacy statements is available at professional.diabetes.org/content/key-statements-and-reports.
Diabetes Care in the School Setting
A sizable portion of a child’s day is spent in school, so close communication with and training and cooperation of school personnel are essential to optimize diabetes management, safety, and access to all school-sponsored opportunities. Additionally, the updated statement further details optimal use of technologies, management of diabetes, behavioral health considerations, and guidance for diabetes care in special situations (e.g., emergency situations or clinical trial participation). Refer to the published ADA statement for diabetes management information for students with diabetes in elementary and secondary school settings (1).
Diabetes and Driving
People with diabetes who wish to operate on-road motor vehicles are subject to various licensing requirements applied by both state and federal jurisdictions. For an overview of existing licensing rules for people with diabetes, factors that impact driving for this population, diabetes technology use, and general guidelines for assessing driver fitness and determining appropriate licensing restrictions, refer to the published ADA statement (2).
Diabetes Management in Detention Facilities
People with diabetes who are in detention facilities deserve equitable care that meets national standards. As many facilities differ and have unique challenges, written policies and procedures are essential to create a solid foundation and infrastructure for diabetes management and the training of medical and security staff. Policies should address considerations such as security needs, transfers, access to medical personnel, needed supplies and equipment, and empowering diabetes self-management. For a comprehensive discussion on these considerations, refer to the published ADA statement (3).
Care of Young Children With Diabetes in the Childcare and Community Setting
Very young children (aged <5 years) with diabetes have legal protections and can be safely cared for by childcare professionals with appropriate training, access to resources, and a communication system with parents or guardians and the child’s diabetes health care professional. Refer to the published ADA advocacy statement for information on young children aged <5 years in settings such as childcare centers, preschools, camps, and other programs (4).
Insulin Access and Affordability
The ADA’s Insulin Access and Affordability Working Group compiled public information and convened a series of meetings with stakeholders throughout the insulin supply chain to learn how each entity affects the cost of insulin for the consumer. Their conclusions and recommendations are published in an ADA statement (5).
Diabetes and Employment
Any person with diabetes, whether insulin treated or noninsulin treated, should be eligible for any employment for which they are otherwise qualified. Employment decisions should never be based on generalizations or stereotypes regarding the effects of diabetes. For a general set of guidelines for evaluating individuals with diabetes for employment, including how an assessment should be performed and what changes (accommodations) in the workplace may be needed for an individual with diabetes, refer to the published ADA statement (6).
*A complete list of members of the American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee can be found at https://doi.org/10.2337/dc25-SINT.
Duality of interest information for each author is available at https://doi.org/10.2337/dc25-SDIS.
Suggested citation: American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 17. Diabetes advocacy: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care 2025;48(Suppl. 1):S335–S336
