UTHSC Investigator Publishes Third Book on Diabetes Research

According to recent report by the World Health Organization, it is estimated that diabetes affects 422 million adults worldwide today (1). The American Diabetes Association reports that of those 422 million, over 29 million are from the United States (2). Samuel Dagogo-Jack, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and director of the Clinical Research Center at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) has devoted his career to diabetes research. Recently, the A.C. Mullins Endowed Chair in Translational Research completed his term as president of the American Diabetes Association. To mark his legacy, Dr. Dagogo-Jack recently published a new book titled, “Diabetes Mellitus in Developing Countries and Underserved Communities.”

Dr. Dagogo-Jack served as editor of the book which was published by Springer and released in late fall. The chapter on “Diabetes in Ethnic Minorities and Immigrant Populations in Western Europe” was co-authored by Helmut Steinberg, MD, professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at UTHSC in collaboration with Oliver Razum, dr. med, professor at Bielefeld University in Germany.

The book pulls together leading experts from all over the world and is adapted to every region. It addresses the growing global diabetes epidemic, specifically focusing on developing countries and underserved communities who are projected to experience the steepest increase of diabetes diagnoses in the next few decades. Additionally, it also sheds light on underserved populations in developed countries who experience disparities in diabetes prevention, quality of care, and outcomes.

“My goal in putting the new book together was to mobilize diabetes leaders and experts from every inhabit- ed continent of the world to craft authoritative chapters on diabetes that could guide care of patients and future research,” said Dr. Dagogo-Jack. “The book is helpful to health policy leaders, clinicians, and basic and clinical researchers worldwide.”

The 14-chapter book looks at classification, pathophysiology, genomics, diagnosis, non-pharmacological and medical management, and prevention from a global standpoint. It also focuses on novel directions for future diabetes research, care, and prevention as well as increasing awareness, increasing self-management skills and health literacy, and reducing the barriers to access of care for the underserved and minority communities.

“With nearly 300 million people worldwide suffering from prediabetes, we hope this book will provide insight and education to those who are fighting to stop this disease,” said Dr. Dagogo-Jack. (3) “Memphis serves both the underprivileged and minority communities. UTHSC provides many resources to those doing diabetes work and research in the city. Our ongoing clinical trials are nationally recognized and sponsored by several prestigious benefactors.”

UTHSC’s Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism has multiple ongoing clinical research initiatives in diabetes detection, management, and prevention as well as pre-diabetes. Dr. Dagogo-Jack is confident that this newly published book will help UTHSC researchers in Memphis and beyond, including clinicians and health policy leaders, better address the wide-spread diabetes issues facing every community around the world.

For more information on Dr. Dagogo-Jack’s book, please visit Springer’s website.

References: