Panelists to discuss Addressing Obesity and Diabetes: Strategies for Healthier Lives and Lower Costs
The American Diabetes Association® (ADA) is proud to host its inaugural State of Diabetes: New Orleans on November 12, during American Diabetes Month®, at the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University.
"Behind every statistic is a neighbor, a coworker, a loved one facing real challenges every day," said Jeanne McKay, the ADA's executive director in Louisiana. "Louisiana ranks third in the nation for obesity, with 40% of our adults affected, and over half a million Louisianans are living with diabetes. Together, these conditions cost our state nearly $14 billion annually—but the true cost is measured in the lives disrupted and dreams deferred. Through the State of Diabetes, we're bringing together the brightest minds and most innovative solutions to break down barriers to care, because every person in Louisiana deserves access to the tools and treatments that can transform their health and their future."
In Louisiana, approximately 568,700 adults, or 14.5% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes. Additionally, approximately 1.9 million adults in the state, or 40% of the adult population, have obesity.
For 85 years, the ADA has driven diabetes discovery and research. The annual State of Diabetes event serves as a pivotal gathering, uniting employers, industry leaders, health care professionals, and community members in support of the ADA’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Increasingly, this includes those living with obesity, as the Obesity Association™, a division of the ADA, expands outreach and education to this population.
On a shared platform, participants will engage with an expert panel in critical discussions on addressing the contemporary landscape of diabetes and obesity, as well as their financial impact on individuals and employers.
Attendees will also:
- Gain key insights from our state-based survey to address community health needs
- Receive a practical toolkit with tailored solutions for employers and community members
- Enjoy a networking session
Over 38 million Americans are living with diabetes, and with health care costs at an all-time high, people with diagnosed diabetes have on average 2.6 times higher medical expenditures than those without. This year’s esteemed panelists will share their expert perspectives on the discussion topic—Addressing Obesity and Diabetes: Strategies for Healthier Lives and Lower Costs. Attendees will learn about new treatments, lifestyle changes, and ways to make diabetes and obesity care more accessible—helping individuals, families, and employers support healthier lives and reduce overall medical costs.
Among the distinguished panelists is Carrie M. Elks, PhD, RD, from Pennington Biomedical Research Center, whose Matrix Biology Laboratory recently made a breakthrough discovery in understanding how obesity develops at the cellular level. Dr. Elks, who was recently awarded $1.4 million from the National Institutes of Health to study fat cell communication cycle, has identified a critical communication loop between fat cells and immune cells that, when disrupted, promotes obesity and insulin resistance. "Understanding how cells communicate—or fail to communicate—gives us a roadmap for developing better therapies," Dr. Elks explains. Her participation brings cutting-edge science from the laboratory bench directly to community stakeholders, demonstrating how Louisiana's own research institutions are leading the charge against these dual epidemics.
Registration is free. To learn more and register, visit /SODNewOrleans. Media interested in previewing or attending the event can schedule an interview by emailing press@.
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About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to end diabetes and helping people thrive. This year, the ADA celebrates 85 years of driving discovery and research to prevent, manage, treat, and ultimately cure diabetes—and we’re not stopping. There are 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Through advocacy, program development, and education, we’re fighting for them all. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383). Join us in the fight on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn). To learn more about how we are advocating for everyone affected by diabetes, visit us on X (@AmDiabetesAssn).
