The goal of the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Diabetes and Obesity Center is to
organize and integrate clinical and scientific approaches to enhance diabetes and
obesity research and clinical practice at the University of Kentucky. The Center
will provide scientific organization and strategic planning to facilitate ongoing
development of research and excellence in clinical care. The focus includes pathogenesis
of diabetes, diabetes treatments and clinical care of diabetes complications, public
health implications of and potential strategies to combat obesity, pathogenesis of
obesity associated health consequences including diabetes and other facets related to
diabetes and obesity. A primary purpose of the Kentucky Diabetes and Obesity Center
will be to integrate and thereby strengthen clinical care, research and education
currently performed across numerous different Colleges and academic units on campus.
Importantly, the Kentucky Diabetes and Obesity Center will provide an over-arching
structure beyond the College of Medicine, and serve as a vehicle to link clinicians
and researchers interested in diabetes and obesity.
Diabetes and obesity are rampant in Kentuckians, and the University of
Kentucky is uniquely poised to focus its expertise with the
establishment of a diabetes and obesity Center. As of 2003, Kentucky
ranked 7th in the nation for highest percentage of adults with diabetes:
it is estimated that more than 8.5% of Kentuckians carry a
diagnosis of diabetes and an additional 40% are pre-diabetic. In
2002 there were more than 96,000 diabetes-related hospitalizations in
the state, and direct and indirect costs of diabetes in Kentucky were
estimated at $2.9 billion. The numbers for obesity are even higher:
Kentucky ranks 5th in the nation in prevalence of adult obesity (25.6%
of adult Kentuckians are obese), and 3rd for teenage obesity.
Obesity is a major risk factor for development of diabetes, as well as
numerous other chronic health consequences, including cardiovascular
disease, hypertension, some cancers, arthritis, sleep apnea, and other
conditions. Of particular concern, the rates of diabetes and obesity are
continuing to increase, further adding to the health care burden.
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Specific Goals
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To create a nationally and internationally recognized Center of
excellence in diabetes and obesity encompassing state of
the art patient care and cutting edge research.
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To encourage research interactions and collaborations including
basic, translational and clinical research, with funding from
federal agencies, national foundations, and industry.
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To provide a stimulating environment for the training of research
and clinical trainees, including medical students, doctoral
students, postdoctoral fellows, residents and fellows from all
healthcare professions.
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To provide a focus for the recruitment, development and retention of
excellent faculty.
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