David Boren: Diabetes Center To Make Oklahoma National Leader

Monday, July 24th 2006, 1:15 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- University of Oklahoma President David Boren says plans for diabetes treatment centers in Oklahoma City and Tulsa will make Oklahoma a national leader if treating the disease.

Boren joined Governor Brad Henry and leaders of Indian tribes in a ceremonial signing of a bill that provides $12- million for the Oklahoma Diabetes Center.

The Choctaw Tribe and Chickasaw nation are both promising $2-million during the next two years to establish endowed chairs for the center.

Boren is one of the estimated ten percent of Oklahomans with diabetes and officials say the percentage is even higher among Indians. Boren also says recent studies predict an explosion of the disease nationwide during the next few years.