The American Diabetes Association hosted its annual State of Diabetes: Phoenix on World Diabetes Day, Nov. 14, at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Phoenix. 

Executive director of the Desert Southwest market for the American Diabetes Association Aaron Dunn said in a press release that he’s proud to lead an organization dedicated to preventing and curing diabetes and improving lives. 

“Our mission drives everything we do — from advancing research to advocating for those affected. It’s an honor to be part of this impactful work that creates a healthier future for our communities,” Dunn said. 

In Arizona, approximately 631,251 adults, or 11% of the adult population, have been diagnosed with diabetes. Each year, an estimated 43,419 adults are diagnosed. 

The annual State of Diabetes event serves as a pivotal gathering, uniting employers, industry leaders, health care providers and community experts, the release explained. 

On a shared platform, professionals engage with an expert panel in critical discussions on how to leverage ADA resources to address the contemporary landscape of diabetes and the financial impact on employers and employees. Discussions are followed by a networking session.

The national sponsor for the event was Lilly, and local sponsors included Equality Health Foundation, Arizona Complete Health, Mayo Clinic, Regenesis Biomedical, Feliz Family Care and Mercy Care

Equality Health Foundation president Tomas Leon said in the release that given the high number of Americans with diabetes and its disproportionate impact on communities of color, it's particularly important to focus on removing barriers to care and ensuring access to essential resources.

“By fostering collaboration among healthcare providers, community leaders, business owners and policymakers and closely working with the American Diabetes Association, we can create a healthier, more equitable future for all,” Leon said.

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, the release stated.